COL. JOHN  S.SLOCUM. 


THE     AUTHOR 

DEDICATES     THIS     VOLUME 
TO     THE 

OFFICERS   AND   MEN   OF  THE   SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND: 
WHOSE     VALOR     WHEN     LIVING     AND 

WHOSE     MEMORY     IN     DEATH 

HAVE    HELPED    TO     GIVE    RENOWN     TO    THEIR   .STATE 
AND    LIFE    TO    THEIR    COUNTRY. 


JV5S11162 


PREFATORY   NOTE. 


THIS  volume  is  due  to  the  action  of  the  Second  Rhode 
Island  Veteran  Association,  taken  at  its  second  annual 
meeting,  July  21st,  1871.  The  association  was  formed 
in  1870,  for  the  purpose  of  perpetuating  the  ties  of  com 
radeship,  and  binding  more  closely  together  the  hearts  of 
men  who  had  stood  together  in  the  face  of  danger  and 
death,  striving  for  the  preservation  of  the  Republic.  At 
the  meeting  in  1871  Major  Stephen  H.  Brown,  who  was 
especially  fitted  for  the  task,  was  chosen  as  the  historian 
of  the  Regiment.  Major  Brown,  however,  thought  best 
to  decline  the  office,  and  the  present  author  was  appointed 
to  prepare  the  history.  As  a  matter  of  course,  there  has 
been  considerable  delay  in  the  work,  the  time  required 
for  the  preparation  of  the  volume  having  been,  as  it  were, 
snatched  from  the  numerous  labors  of  a  busy  profession. 
Great  care  has  been  taken  to  ensure  accuracy,  yet  doubt 
less  some  errors  will  be  detected,  as  would  naturally  be 
expected  in  the  multiplicity  of  details  connected  with  the 
movements  of  the  Regiment.  A  few  mistakes  in  printing 
the  names  of  the  members  of  the  Regiment  have  also 

occurred,  arising  from  the  fact,  that  in  the  order-books 
1* 


6  PREFATORY   NOTE. 

and  the  adjutant-general's  reports  the  names  have  been 
variously  spelled.  I  have  also  been  obliged  to  regard  the 
subject  from  the  outside,  and  have  thus  been  subject  to 
some  disadvantage.  But  the  book,  as  it  is,  I  now  present 
to  the  surviving  members  of  the  Kegiment  and  the  friends 
of  the  fallen,  as  a  cordial  expression  of  good  will,  even  if 
it  be  an  inadequate  record  of  faithful  and  devoted  service. 

I  would  express  my  obligations  to  the  members  of  the 
publishing  committee  of  the  association,  Generals  Rogers 
and  Viall,  Colonel  Rhodes,  Majors  Brown  and  Thurber, 
and  Lieutenant  A.  M.  Bowen;  to  Captain  Stanley, 
Messrs.  Charles  S.  Nichols  and  Albert  A.  Mowry,  and 
other  members  of  the  Regiment,  for  valuable  assistance 
and  materials.  I  am  also  indebted  to  Mr.  Alexander 
Farnum,  for  the  preparation  of  the  copious  and  excellent 
index  which  ends  the  book. 

A.  W. 

PROVIDENCE,  February,  1875. 


CONTENTS. 

PART    I. 
THE  SECOND  RHODE  ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS. 

CHAPTER   I. 
May- June,  1861. 

PAGE 

Organization  and  Departure,       .....       13 

CHAPTER     II. 

July,  1861. 
The  Battle  of  Bull  Run?       .       .       .       .       .       .       2t 

CHAPTER    III. 

July  -  December,  1861. 
Camp  Brightwooc], 43 

CHAPTER     IV. 

February -April,  1862. 
Breaking  Camp, 62 

CHAPTER    Y. 

April -May.  1802. 
The  Peninsula, .      .       73 


8  CONTEXTS. 

<•  II  APTEK    VI. 

June -August,  1862. 

PACK 

Within  Sight  of  Richmond, 87 

CHAPTER    VII. 

August  -  November,  1862. 
The  Maryland  Campaign, 106 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

j 
November -December,  1862. 

In  Virginia  Again, 117 

CHAPTER    IX. 

December,  1862. 
Fredericksburg,       .       . 125 

CHAPTER     X. 

December,  1862 -April,  1863. 
Changes  and  Complications, 136 

CHAPTER    XI. 

April -May,  1863. 
Salem  Heights, .       160 

CHAPTE  R    XII. 

June,  1863. 
After  Salem  Heights, 179 

CHAPTER     XIII. 

July,  1863. 
Gettysburg, .      .       188 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

July -December,  1863. 
Return  to  the  Rappahannock, 204 


CONTENTS.  y 

CHAPTER    XV. 

December.  1863 -Mav,  1864. 

PAGE 

Winter  Quarters  at  Brandy  Station,   .       .       .       .       219 

CHAPTER    XVI. 

May,  1864. 
The  Opening  Battle  of  1864, 233 

CHAPTER     XVII. 

May,  1864. 
Spottsylvania, 242 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 

May -June,  1864. 
The  Last  Two  Weeks,    .....      .      .       .       252 

CHAPTER    XIX. 

June,  1864. 
The  Return  Home,         .       .      ,       .       .       .       .262 


PART    II. 

THE  VETERANS. 

CHAPTER  I. 

June,  1864. 
The  Reorganization, 277 

CHAPTER    II. 

July -August,  1864. 
A  Change  of  Scene, 285 

CHAPTER     III. 

September,  1864. 
Sheridan  Moves  out  to  Battle,  .       294 


10  CONTENTS. 

<    II  A  P  T  E  R    IV. 

September -October,  1864. 

PAGE 

End  of  the  Shenandoah  Campaign,  ....       302 

CHAPTER    V. 

October -December,  1864. 
Keturn  to  Petersburg, 316 

CHAPTER    VI. 

January  -  March,  1865. 
The  Shadow  of  Coming  Events,        .       .       .       .       324 

CHAPTER    VII. 

March -April,  1865. 
The  Death  Grapple, 335 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

April,  1865. 
The  Lost  Cause, ,       347 

CHAPTER    IX. 

April -July,  1865. 
Home  at  Last, 355 


PART   III. 
IN  MEMORIAM,        ....  371 


PART   IV. 

ROLL  OF  THE  REGIMENT,      .      .     « .      .      .      .      429 
The  Veteran  Organization,  ....  560 


PART    I. 


THE 


THE 


CHAPTER    I. 

ORGANIZATION   AND   DEPARTURE. 


'HEN  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  opened,  in  1861,  it 
found  the  people  of  Rhode  Island  ready  to  respond 
with  enthusiasm  to  any  call  that  would  be  likely  to 
be  made  upon  them,  for  the  defence  of  the  imperilled 
nation.  The  governor,  William  Sprague,  had  already 
offered  to  the  government  of  the  United  States  a  regi 
ment  of  infantry  and  a  battery  of  artillery,  in  case  their 
services  should  be  required  to  ensure  the  security  of  the 
city  of  Washington.  As  soon  as  the  call  for  troops  was 
made,  he  convoked  the  General  Assembly,  which  at  once 
adopted  measures  to  meet  the  emergency  by  authorizing 
the  governor  to  raise  as  many  troops  as  the  public  service 
might  require,  and  the  general  treasurer  to  make  a  loan 
of  five  hundred  thousand  dollars,  to  pay  the  necessary 
expenses.  Ten  banks  in  the  city  of  Providence  —  the 

2 


14  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [M;i\\ 

bank  of  Commerce,  Globe,  Blackstone  Canal,  American, 
City,  Mechanics',  Eagle,  Liberty,  National,  and  Com 
mercial —  immediately  tendered  the  amount,  in  the  ag 
gregate,  of  three  hundred  and  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 
The  Pocasset  bank,  of  Fall  River,  offered  twenty  thou 
sand,  and  the  firm  of  A.  &  W.  Sprague  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  There  was,  thus,  no  lack  of  money 
for  the  equipment  of  the  troops.  President  Lincoln 
issued  his  proclamation,  calling  for  75,000  men  fop 
three  months,  on  the  15th  of  April.  In  the  course  of 
the  week  the  First  Regiment  Rhode  Island  Detached 
Militia,  composed  of  ten  companies  of  infantry  and  a 
battery  of  artillery,  under  command  of  Colonel  Ambrose 
E.  Burnside,  was  despatched  to  Washington.  The  bat 
tery,  under  command  of  Captain  Charles  II.  Tompkins, 
accompanied  by  Lieutenant-Governor  Samuel  G.  Arnold, 
embarked  at  Providence  on  the  18th;  the  first  detachment 
of  infantry,  with  Colonel  Burnside  in  command,  accom 
panied  by  the  governor  and  Colonels  William  Goddard 
and  Lyman  B.  Frieze,  aides-de-camp,  embarked  on  the 
20th;  and  the  second  detachment,  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Joseph  S.  Pitman,  on  the  24th  of  April.  The 
troops  duly  arrived  at  Washington  —  the  first  detachment 
on  the  26th,  the  second  on  the  29th,  the  battery  on  the 
2nd  of  May  —  and  were  mustered  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States  —  the  infantry  on  the  2nd  and  the  artillery 
on  the  7th  of  May. 

But  it  soon  became  evident  that  the  government  had 
undertaken  a  task  not  to  be  completed  by  a  service  of 
three  months.  The  alacrity  witli  which  the  people  of 
the  loyal  states  had  answered  the  appeal  encouraged  the 
authorities  at  Washington  to  make  a  second.  This  time 
the  period  of  service  was  to  be  for  three'  years,  unless 
sooner  discharged,  and  the  number  of  men  summoned  to 


18G1.]  ORGANIZATION   AND    DEPARTURE.  15 

the  field  was  42,034.  The  president  issued  the  new  call 
on  the  3rd  of  May.  In  Rhode  Island,  stimulated  by  the 
public  sentiment  of  the  state  —  always  intensely  loyal  and 
patriotic  —  enlistments  had  been  actively  making  since 
the  day  of  the  departure  of  the  First  Regiment.  On  that 
day  Governor  Sprague  had  directed  Adjutant-General 
Mauran  to  issue  an  order  at  some  subsequent  time,  look 
ing  to  the  formation  of  another  regiment.  General 
Mauran  issued  the  order  on  the  29th  of  April,  directing 
"the  commandants  of  the  several  military  companies  to 
fill  their  companies  at  once  to  seventy-four  rank  and  file, 
including  two  musicians,  to  be  officered  in  accordance 
with  the  regulations  of  the  army  of  the  United  States." 
On  the  30th  the  governor,  then  in  Washington,  sent 
word  that  no  more  enlistments  were  necessary,  as  the 
capital  was  safe.  But  so  zealously  had  the  work  been 
carried  on  and  so  readily  had  the  people  engaged  in  it, 
that  when  the  call  of  the  president  was  made,  a  new  regi 
ment  was  in  a  good  state  of  forwardness.  By  the  7th  of 
May  four  full  companies  had  been  raised  and  officers  had 
been  chosen  —  one  at  Providence,  commanded  by  Cap 
tain  W.  H.  P.  Steere;  one  at  Bristol,  commanded  by 
Captain  Nathan  Goff,  Jr.;  one  at  East  Greenwich  and 
neighborhood,  commanded  by  Captain  C.  W.  Greene; 
and  one  at  South  Kingstown,  commanded  by  Captain  I. 
P.  Rodman.  By  the  order  of  the  29th  of  April  General 
Charles  T.  Robbins,  of  the  state  militia,  had  been  as 
signed  to  the  command  of  the  regiment  when  full.  But 
on  the  13th  of  May  Major  John  S.  Slocum,  accompanied 
by  Surgeon  F.  L.  AVlieaton,  both  of  the  First  Regiment, 
arrived  in  Providence.  Governor  Sprague  —  still  in 
Washington  —  had  been  authorized  on  the  7th  to  raise 
a  new  regiment,  and  his  offer  to  furnish  another  battery 
of  artillery  had  been  accepted.  He  detailed  Major  Slo- 


16  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [June, 

cum  and  Dr.  AVheaton  to  organize  the  regiment,  and 
selected  the  major  to  take  command.  General  Bobbins 
accordingly  declined  the  position,  and  on  the  18th  Major 
Slocum  was  announced,  in  general  order,  as  the  com 
mander.  The  order  promulgated  by  the  adjutant-general 
directed  that  "the  commandants  of  the  several  military 
companies  in  the  state  will  report  at  once  to  this  depart 
ment  such  officers  and  men  as  have  enlisted  or  will 
enlist  for  three  years,  in  accordance  with  the  recent  pro 
clamation  of  the  President  of  the  United  States.  The 
Commander-in-chief  will  make  such  selections  of  both 
officers  and  men  of  the  Second  Regiment,  either  from 
the  companies  reporting  under  this  order  or  from  any 
source  he  may  think  proper,  having  but  one  thing  in 
view  in  its  organization — that  of  making  the  Second 
Regiment  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  any  in  the  service. " 
Two  more  companies  —  raised  principally  in  Providence 

—  and  a  battery  of  artillery — also  raised  in  Providence 

—  were  now  ready.     Major  Slocum's  name  at  once  gave 
strength  and  enthusiasm  to  the  movement,  and  by  the 
last  of  May,  the  Regiment  was  so  full  as  to  justify  prepa 
rations  for  mustering  it  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States.     On  the  30th  of  May  Ensign  Albert  C.  Eddy, 
of  the  First  Regiment,  was  appointed  acting  adjutant. 
On  the  1st  of  June  Captain  Cyrus  G.  Dyer,  Lieutenant 
Nelson  Viall,  and  Ensign   Levi  Tower,  resigned  their 
positions  in  the  First  Regiment  and  were  appointed  to 
the  command  of  companies  in  the  Second.     Lieutenant 
William  H.  Reynolds,  of  Captain  Tompkins's  battery  in 
the  First,  was  on  the  same  day  appointed  to  the  com 
mand  of  the  battery  in  the  Second.     The  infantry  com 
panies  were  mustered  in  on  the  5th  and  6th  of  June,  the 
artillery  on  the  6th,  and  the  actual  history  of  the  Second 
Regiment  Rhode  Island  Volunteers  began.     It  was  the 


1861.]  ORGANIZATION   AND    DEPARTURE.  17 

second  three-years  regiment  from  New  England  in  the 
service  —  the  1st  Massachusetts  preceding  it  but  a  few 
days. 

The  officers,  as  originally  mustered  on  the  days  men 
tioned,  were  as  follows:  Colonel  John  S.  Slocum  and 
Surgeon  Francis  L.  Wheaton;  Captains  Cyrus  G.  Dyer 
(Company  A),  John  Wright  (B),  Nelson  Viall  (C),  Wil 
liam  H.  P.  Steere  (D),  Isaac  P.  Rodman  (E),  Levi 
Tower  (F),  Nathan  Goff,  Jr.  (G),  Charles  W.  Greene 
(H),  S.  James  Smith  (I),  Charles  AY.  Turner  (K);  First 
Lieutenants  Stephen  T.  Arnold-  (A),  James  Aborii  (B), 
appointed  quartermaster, —  Edward  Stanley  (C),  Edward 
H.  Sears  (D),  Samuel  B.  M.  Read  (E),  William  B. 
Sears  (F),  George  W.  Weeden  (G),  Beriah  S.  Brown  (H), 
Stephen  H.  Brown  (I),  Otis  P.  G.  Clarke  (K);  Second 
Lieutenants  Henry  Williams  (A),  Henry  H.  Young  (B), 
Edwin  K.  Sherman  (C),  William  Ames  (D),  Isaac  M. 
Church  (E),  John  P.  Shaw  (F),  Lewis  H.  Bowen  (G), 
Thomas  Foy  (H),  Henry  C.  Cook  (I),  Samuel  J.  Smith 
(K), — appointed  adjutant.  The  officers  of  the  battery 
were  Captain  William  H.  Reynolds;  First  Lieutenants 
Thomas  F.  Yaughan,  John  Albert  Monroe,  and  Second 
Lieutenants  John  A.  Tompkins  and  William  B.  Weeden. 
The  warrant  officers  of  the  non-commissioned  staff,  ser 
geants  and  corporals  of  the  different  companies,  were  as 
follows:  Sergeant-Major  Edward  A.  Russell;  Quarter 
master-Sergeant  Henry  C.  Jenckes;  Commissary-Sergeant 
James  H.  Tate;  Hospital  Steward  Edwin  A.  Calder; 
Assistant  Steward  William  L.  Wheaton;  Sergeants  Asa 
Wilson,  Clark  E.  Bates,  James  Taggart,  William  Daw- 
ley,  Warren  Ralph  (A);  Benjamin  B.  Manchester,  Joseph 
W.  Knight,  Samuel  B.  Russell,  Joseph  C.  Nichols, 
Edwin  M.  Rogers  (B);  Nicholas  Underwood,  Harrison 
Hyer,  Charles  Morgan,  James  Lawless,  John  M.  Duffy, 
2* 


18  SECOND    RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [June, 

color-sergeant,  (C);  John  B.  Lincoln,  Levi  F.  Carr, 
Augustus  H.  Cunningham,  Samuel  J.  English,  John  F. 
Bo  wen  (D);  James  A.  Ward,  John  H.  Holland,  Nicholas 
F.  Dixon,  Edward  Yost,  Anthony  Dixon  (E);  Reuben 
H.  Gladding,  Frank  Jeffers,  Laban  T.  Rogers,  Stephen 
"\Vest,  Jr.,  George  W.  Kidder  (F);  Joseph  S.  Manchester, 
Thomas  F.  Usher,  Charles  A.  Waldron,  Henry  F.  Sim 
mons,  Charles  W.  Knight  (G);  Russell  C.  Gardner, 
-George  H.  Groves,  John  F.  Eddy,  George  L.  Nason, 
James  F.  Weaver  (H);  John  R.  Waterhouse,  Albert  W. 
Chappell,  Napoleon  A.  Vaslett,  Adin  B.  Capron  (I); 
Obed  H.  Gifford,  John  Hamilton,  William  G.  Turner, 
James  W.  Dennis,  Jr.,  William  T.  Lawton  (K);  in 
the  artillery  —  Sergeant-Major  George  E.  Randolph;  Quar 
termaster-Sergeant  Albert  E.  Adams;  Sergeants  Henry 
Newton,  John  H.  Hammond,  William  II.  AValcott,  G. 
Holmes  Wilcox,  Charles  D.  Owen,  Francis  A.  Smith: 
Corporals  John  Wells,  Alex.  M.  Warner,  William  B. 
Douglass,  Zina  W.  Johnson,  Andrew  McMahon,  Albert 
L.  Carter,  Joseph  Lewis,  William  P.  Bentley,  Edward 
II.  Searle  (A);  Charles  T.  Cahoone,  Robert  Yeaw,  James 
II.  Bishop,  John  C.  Leavitt,  Ithamar  H.  Wilcox,  John 
H.  Bennett,  George  A.  Davis,  Amory  A.  Phillips  (B); 
Ichabod  B.  Burt,*  Edmund  F.  Prentiss,  George  W.  Sea- 
mans,  Jr.,*  Joseph  B.  Curtis,*  Richard  M.  Grant,* 
William  W.  Anniss,  Thomas  0.  II.  Carpenter,*  Richmond 
J.  Stone  (C);  Charles  R.  Kruger,  Edward  R.  Ferguson, 
Davis  Cook,  Frederic  W.  Swain.  Charles  J.  Tinkham, 
Francis  E.  Kelley,  James  G,  Cummings,  Elisha  H. 
Rhodes  (D):  Patrick  Lyons,  Edward  A.  Gavitt,  Henry  C. 
Dixon,  John  B.  Rodman.  William  E.  Smith,  Abner  0. 
Shearman.  Stephen  Holland.  Esek  B.  Smith  (E);  Lucian 
A.  \V hippie,  David  L.  Douglass,  George  R.  Wood,  Peter 

*C'olor-guard. 


1801.]  ORGANIZATION   AND   DEPARTURE.  10 

T.  Taylor,  Albert  E.  Maker,  David  Hay,  Jr.,  Francis  T. 
Romain,  Theodore  W.  Jencks  (F);  Simeon  A.  Newman, 
John  S.  Newman,  Amos  B.  Chase,  William  J.  Bradford, 
Frank  G.  Bourn,  Robert  Southergill,  Robert  N.  Turner, 
Henry  J.  Cole  (G);  Charles  E.  Bagley,  Thomas  W.  May, 
Francis  C.  Greene,  Luther  Baker  (honorably  discharged, 
June  19),  Thomas  Byrnes,  James  E.  Wilcox,  John 
Greene,  William  W.  Brown,  Alonzo  Bradford  (H);  Henry 

A.  Green,  Horatio  B.  Snow,  Thomas  J.  Kelley,  John 
Ford,  Bradford  Chamberlain,  Charles  H.  Hawkins,  George 

B.  Hutchinson,  William  H.  Jillson  (I);  John  Hodgson, 
Eben  J.  Blake,  Henry  T.  Blanchard,  Henry  Reinwald, 
Timothy  C.  Sullivan,  John  H.  Murphy,  Samuel  Worm 
wood,  John  W.  Hunt  (K);  Charles  M.  Bead,  Charles  H. 
Clark,  Nathan  T.  Morse,  Jr.,  G.  Lyman  Dwight,  William 
A.  Sabin,    H.  Vincent  Butler,   Albert  F.    Remington, 
James  B.  Buffum,  Harry  C.  Gushing,  George  W.  Field, 
T.    Frederic   Brown,    Seabury   S.    Burroughs  (battery). 
Some  of  these  names  will  appear  again  in  the  course  of 
this  narrative,  to  the  honor  of  those  who  bore  them. 

Of  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  enlisted  men  in 
the  infantry  there  were  mustered  in  the  early  part  of 
June,  before  the  Regiment  left  the  state,  831,  to  whom  11 
were  added  in  July,  before  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  Of 
these  29  were  discharged  in  June  and  4  in  July;  0  were 
transferred  in  June  and  July  to  the  battery.  The  regi 
mental  band  consisted  of  23  men,  of  which  Peter  Kalk- 
nian  was  leader,  Jeremiah  S.  Potter,  drum-major,  and 
John  H.  Tennant,  fife-major.  In  the  battery  159  non 
commissioned  officers  and  enlisted  men  were  mustered  in 
June.  To  these  0  were  added  by  transference  from  the 
infantry,  7  were  discharged  in  June,  and  2  in  July.  Cor 
poral  Morse  and  private  William  E.  Bourn  were  killed 
by  the  accidental  explosion  of  a  caisson,  July  9th.  SIT- 


20  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [June, 

geant  Walcott  was  appointed  first  lieutenant  17th  In 
fantry,  United  States  army,  June  18th. 

The  material  of  which  the  Regiment  was  composed  was 
•exceptionally  good.  The  majority  of  the  men  were 
natives  of  Rhode  Island.  Comparatively  few  were  of 
foreign  birth.  The  rest  were  born  in  New  England  and 
the  state  of  New  York.  The  secretary  of  war  had  im 
pressed  upon  the  governor  of  the  state  the  necessity  of 
great  care  in  the  selection  o'f  officers  —  that  men  of  high 
-character  and  unquestioned  courage  should  have  the 
privilege  of  leading  their  fellow-countrymen  to  the  dan 
ger  and  duty  of  the  time.  Governor  Sprague  published 
the  order  on  the  30th  of  May  assigning  the  number  of 
men  to  each  company,  and  stating  that  the  several 
companies  might  "recommend  their  officers,  and  the 
Commander-in-chief  would  give  due  weight  to  such  re 
commendation."  The  artillery  contained  twenty  men 
•of  foreign  birth.  The  remainder  were,  with  few  ex 
ceptions,  Rhode  Islanders.  The  battery  was  recruited 
mostly  from  Providence.  Company  A  was  from  Appo- 
jiaug,  Natick  and  Phenix;  B  from  Scituate,  Johnson 
-and  Cranston;  C  and  D  from  Providence;  E  from  South 
Kingstown  and  neighborhood;  F  from  Pawtucket,  V al 
ley  Falls  and  Central  Kails;  G  from  Bristol  county;  H 
from  East  Greenwich  and  neighborhood;  I  from  Smith- 
field,  Woonsocket  and  Greenville;  and  K  from  Newport 
county.  Thus  it  happened  that  a  body  of  men  were 
brought  together,  of  whom  the  state  might  well  be 
proud.  With  their  line-  equipment  and  their  soldierly 
bearing,  they  attracted  everywhere  the  public  admiration 
and  respect. 

On  the  7th  of  June  the  Regiment  paraded  and  was 
reviewed  on  Exchange  Place,  in  Providence,  for  the" 
purpose  of  hearing  an  order  read  from  the  secretary  of 


1861.]  ORGANIZATION    AND    DEPARTURE.  21 

war,  eulogistic  of  the  services  of  Hon.  Stephen  A.  Doug 
las,  who  had  died  on  the  2nd.  Prayer  was  offered  by 
Eev.  Mr.  Jameson  of  Providence,  and  the  exercises  were 
described  as  impressive.  The  next  day  the  Regiment  went 
into  camp,  on  the  Dexter  Training  Ground,  which  Col 
onel  Slocum,  in  public  order,  named  Burnside,  in  honor 
of  the  commander  of  the  First  Regiment.  On  the  9th 
the  Regiment  attended  divine  service  in  a  body  at  the 
First  Baptist  church,  where  Rev.  Dr.  S.  L.  Caldwell 
preached  an  able  and  patriotic  sermon,  which  was  after 
wards  printed  and  distributed  among  the  soldiers.  Col 
onel  William  Goddard,  aide-de-camp  to  the  governor,  was 
temporarily  appointed  lieutenant-colonel,  on  the  10th, 
and  taking  up  his  quarters  at  the  camp,  was  of  valuable 
assistance  to  Colonel  Slocum  in  organizing  and  directing 
the  affairs  of  the  command.  On  the  llth  the  field  and 
staff  organization  was  completed  by  the  appointment  of 
Sullivan  Ballou,  Esq.,  as  major,  and  Rev.  Thorndike  C. 
Jameson  as  chaplain.  The  routine  of  the  camp  was  now 
diligently  observed.  The  peaceful  Training  Ground  as 
sumed  a  really  martial  aspect. 

Every  day  now  had  its  incident.  The  12th  was  signal 
ized  by  the  presentation  of  colors  to  the  Regiment  by  the 
ladies  of  Providence,  through  the  mayor  of  the  city,  Hon. 
Jabez  C.  Knight.  At  the  evening  dress-parade  the  col 
ors  —  a  national  ensign,  a  regimental  flag,  and  the  proper 
guidons — were  brought  upon  the  field,  and  Mayor  Knight, 
addressing  Colonel  Slocum  and  the  Regiment,  gave  them 
into  their  keeping.  "On  behalf  of  the  ladies  of  our 
city,"  said  the  mayor,  "I  have  the  honor  to  present  you 
with  these  regimental  colors  and  the  national  banner, 
wrhich  they  have  prepared  for  your  acceptance  and  use. 
In  placing  them  in  j-our  charge  I  desire  to  express  the 
high  degree  of  confidence  these  ladies  entertain  in  your 


22  SECOND    RHODE    ISLAND    VOLUNTEEB8,        [JllllC, 

ability  and  courage  at  all  times  to  guard,  protect  and 
defend  them.  In  receiving  them,  you  pledge  yourselves 
to  be  firm  and  true  to  every  duty,  and  by  them  to  live, 
and  for  them,  if  necessary,  to  die.  I  believe  you  will  be 
faithful  and  sustain  manfully  the  honor  of  our  little 
•state;  for  Rhode  Island  has  a  reputation  of  which  every 
one  of  her  citizens  is  justly  proud.  I  believe  that  y<m 
will  be  true  to  each  other,  and  that  your  hearts  are 
moved  by  a  determination  to  perform  your  whole  duty  in 
the  time  of  your  country's  need.  Take  these  colors  and 
cherish  them,  and  in  the  hour  of  battle  remember,  that 
the  wishes  and  prayers  of  the  fair  donors  are  ascending 
to  heaven  for  your  welfare.  Wave  them  in  triumph  and 
in  defence  of  the  right,  and  bring  them  back  with  you, 
though  they  be  tattered  and  torn  in  the  heat  and  strife  of 
•conflict.  May  you  contend  manfully  for  the  good,  the 
right,  and  the  patriotic,  and  may  God  bless  and  protect 
yon!" 

Colonel  Slocum  received  the  colors  with  a  few  words  of 
gratitude,  quietly  and  modestly  spoken,  and,  remarking 
that  whatever  he  might  have  to  say  would  be  said  upon 
his  return,  he  called  upon  Captain  Dyer,  who  spoke 
briefly  and  very  happily.  Thanks  were  given  to  the 
ladies  for  their  beautiful  gift,  and  the  hope  was  expressed 
that  the  Keiriment  would  not  Id-tray  the  c<>nlidcnce  of  its 
friends,  but  would  defend  the  colors  to  the  last,  carrying 
them  in  victory,  if  so  it  should  be  granted  by  a  favoring 
Providence.  Rev.  Dr.  K.  P>.  Hall,  of  Providence,  then 
'read  a  short  poem  which  had  been  written  for  the  occa 
sion,  and  the  parade  was  dismissed.  Company  C  was 
designated,  by  lot,  as  the  color  company.  On  the  13th 
Chaplain  Jameson  had  a  sword  presented  to  him  by  his 
friends,  with  the  injunction,  as  given  by  Rev.  Heman 
Lincoln,  of  Providence,  to  "deal  sure  blows,  never  doubt- 


1861.]  ORGANIZATION    AND    DEPARTURE.  23 

ing  the  commission  to  smite  the  enemies  of  the  govern 
ment  as  tbe  enemies  of  God,  even  us  Samuel  hewed  Agag- 
in  pieces  before  the  Lord."  The  chaplain  felicitously 
responded,  pledging  his  earnest  efforts  in  performing  the 
duties  of  his  responsible  office.  Some  of  the  captains- 
received  carbines  as  gifts  from  their  friends.  Hon.  "W. 
8.  Slater  presented  each  man  in  Company  G  with  a  rub 
ber  overcoat.  Several  gentlemen  gave  money  as  a  regi 
mental  fund.  The  General  Assembly  had  already  ordered 
a  bounty  of  twelve  dollars  per  month  for  three  months, 
and  thus,  in  various  ways,  both  officers  and  men  were 
generously  provided  for.  On  the  16th  the  Regiment 
attended  divine  service  at  Grace  church,  and  were  elo 
quently  addressed  by  Right  Reverend  Thomas  M.  Clark, 
the  Episcopal  bishop  of  the  diocese  of  Rhode  Island. 

Everything  now  betokened  an  early  departure.  The 
Regiment  was  fully  organized  and  equipped.  As  early  as 
the  22nd  of  May  the  governor  had  been  desired  by  the- 
secretary  of  war  to  bring  on  the  Regiment  to  Washington, 
and  the  route  of  travel  had  been  designated.  The  usual 
delays  occurred,  but  by  the  middle  of  June  all  was 
ready  and  the  governor  had  the  satisfaction  of  issuing  the 
necessary  order.  On  the  19th  the  Regiment  broke  camp, 
marched  to  Exchange  Place,  where  a  brief  address  was 
delivered  by  Bishop  Clark,  and  afterwards  to  Fox  Point, 
where  the  troops  embarked  —  the  battery  upon  the 
steamer  Kill  von  Kull,  and  the  infantry  upon  the  State 
of  Maine.  Colonel  Goddard  was  relieved  of  duty  with 
the  Regiment,  and  returned  to  his  position  as  aide-de 
cani])  upon  the  staff  of  the  governor.  General  Robbins 
was  appointed  to  the  lieutenant-colonelcy.  Governor 
Sprague,  with  Colonels  Goddard  and  J.  A.  Gardner  of 
his  staff,  Bishop  Clark,  Secretary  John  R.  Bartlett,  Mayor 
Knight,  and  other  gentlemen  who  had  taken  an  interest 


24  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [June, 

in  the  organization  of  the  command,  accompanied  the 
Regiment.  The  next  day,  after  a  brief  delay  at  Now 
York,  the  command  disembarked  at  Elizabeth,  New 
Jersey,  and  proceeded  by  rail,  by  way  of  Easton,  Reading, 
I  larrisburg  and  York,  to  Baltimore.  The  troops  marched 
through  Baltimore,  late  in  the  day  on  the  21st,  and 
arrived  at  Washington  in  the  grey  of  the  morning  of 
the  22nd.  They  were  received  by  the  First  Regiment 
with  a  soldier's  welcome  and  a  soldier's  cheer,  and  pitched 
their  tents  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  their  compan- 
ions-in-arms.  Colonel  Slocum  gave  to  his  camp  the 
name  of  Clark,  in  honor  of  the  bishop.  The  two  regi 
ments  fraternized  at  once  and  were  united  under  com 
mand  of  the  senior  officer,  Colonel  Burnside.  A  few 
days  after  the  arrival  of  the  Second,  General  Robbins 
was  relieved  and  returned  home,  and  on  the  14th  of 
July  Captain  Frank  Wheaton,  of  the  1st  Cavalry,  United 
States  army,  was  appointed  lieutenant-colonel.  Colonel 
Goddard  was  appointed  second  major  of  the  First  Regi 
ment  on  the  27th.  Ensign  Eddy  was  relieved  and 
returned  to  duty  with  the  First  on  the  6th  of  July. 
Colonel  Slocum,  in  issuing  the  proper  order,  expressed 
his  "unqualified  approbation  of  the  promptness  and  fidel 
ity  with  which  Ensign  Eddy  has  constantly  performed 
the  duties  assigned  him."  Thus  every  preparation  was 
made  for  the  work  of  the  summer's  campaign. 

Life  in  camp,  though  afterwards  sufficiently  familiar 
to  become  monotonous,  had  then  all  the  charm  and 
variety  of  a  novel  experience.  The  daily  drill,  the  eve 
ning  parade  and  prayers  —  attended  by  large  numbers  of 
citizens  of  Washington,  performed  by  the  two  chaplains 
alternately,  and  participated  in  by  the  two  regiments  and 
batteries  —  inspections,  reviews,  and  the  usual  routine  of 
thf  school  of  the  soldier,  occupied  the  time.  These  men, 


OK^AM/ATIUN'    AM)    DEI'AKTl'KE. 

fresh  from  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life,  were  learning  the 
lessons  of  war — were  preparing,  with  a  facile  power  of 
adaptation,  to  undertake  the  most  dangerous  and  difficult 
enterprise  of  which  man  is  capable.  They  were  diligently 
training  themselves  for  this  new  experience  —  accepting 
the  unaccustomed  modes  of  living,  to  which  they  had 
thus  been  introduced,  with  a  cheerful  and  elate  spirit. 
It  was  not  love  of  adventure  that  impelled  them.  It 
certainly  was  not  a  desire  to  make  any  profit  from  their 
labor  —  the  bounty  was  small  and  the  wages  of  the  sol 
dier  less  than  an  active  man  could  obtain  at  home.  The 
privations  of  the  camp  and  the  dangers  of  the  field  were 
by  no  means  attractive.  Xor  were  they  altogether  moved 
by  the  enthusiasm  which  had  swept  over  the  country. 
They  had  had  time  to  think  and  deliberate  upon  the 
matter,  and  they  came  to  their  decision  with  the  dis 
passionate  calmness  of  principle.  The  spirit  of  the 
Second  Regiment  was  that  of  pure  and  conscientious 
patriotism,  and  it  was  this  that  gave  it  the  good  dis 
cipline  and  efficiency,  which  made  it  conspicuous  in  the 
subsequent  scenes  of  the  war.  Of  course  there  was  a 
certain  proportion  of  worthless  material.  But  it  was 
very  small,  and  when  it  was  fairly  sifted  out,  there  was 
left  a  force  composed  of  men  who  were  always  trust 
worthy,  to  a  degree  which  elicited  the  commendation 
of  every  commander  under  whom  they  served. 

Much  of  the  future  distinction  of  the  Regiment  was 
undoubtedly  due  to  the  soldierly  character  of  its  first 
colonel.  He  held  his  command  but  little  more  than  six 
weeks,  but  it  was  long  enough  to  fix  its  direction  and 
determine  its  course.  Colonel  Slocum  had  a  high  ideal 
of  a  soldiers  life.  He  had  served  with  distinction  in  the 
Mexican  war,  had  been  major,  for  a  short  time,  in  the 
First  Rhode  Island,  and  when  he  took  command  of  the 
3 


2f>  9ECOKD    KHODK    ISLAND    VOLl'XTKKUS.        [JllllC, 

Second  lie  resolved  to  make  it,  if  possible,  first,  certainly 
second  to  none,  in  the  service,  lie  would  talk  with 
pride  of  the  men  he  commanded,  and  with  hope  of  the 
results  he  expected  to  work  out  with  them.  The  Kegi- 
ment  never  lost  the  force  of  this  impulsion.  The  suc 
cessors  of  Slocum  in  command  fully  appreciated  his 
purpose,  were  moved  by  the  same  spirit,  and  never 
ceased  to  feel  the  influence  which  he  had  exerted  at  the 
start.  What  he  did  and  what  he  intended  to  do  were 
always  kept  in  mind,  and,  when  his  memory  became 
glorified  and  consecrated  by  his  fearless  death,  his  ambi 
tious  hopes  for  his  Regiment  were  reenforced;  for  his 
successors  seemed  to  feel  that  upon  them  devolved  the 
<1uty  of  bringing  those  hopes  to  fruition,  and  of  redeem 
ing  the  pledges  which  had  been  virtually  given  to  the 
country  by  the  first  commander. 


1S«',1.|  THE    BATTLE   OF    BULL    KIN.  27 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE    BATTLE    OF   BULL    RUN. 


]np(IIE  routine  of  camp  life  was  broken  by  reports  of 
1  an  anticipated  aggressive  movement  upon  Manassas 
1  Junction,  Virginia,  which  the  rebels  occupied  in 
force,  with  a  considerable  army  under  General  Beaure- 
gard.  General  J.  E.  Johnston  held  the  Shenandoah 
Valley,  where  he  was  supposed  to  be  kept  in  check  by 
General  Patterson,  to  whom  Captain  Tompkins's  battery 
was  .sent  early  in  July.  Independence  day  was  observed 
in  cam})  by  appropriate  exercises,  the  most  prominent  of 
which  was  a  spirited  and  patriotic  address  delivered  by 
Rev.  Thomas  Quinn,  associate  chaplain  of  the  First  R*-- i- 
ment.  Congress  assembled  on  the  4th  of  July,  and  im 
mediately  the  note  of  preparation  was  sounded.  General 
Irwin  McDowell,  who  had  hitherto  been  engaged  as  a 
mustering  officer  on  the  staff  of  General  Scott,  was  as 
signed  to  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
and  immediately  engaged  with  great  assiduity  in  the 
work  of  organization.  On  the  8th  of  July  the  army  was 
brigaded  and  formed  into  five  divisions,  two  of  which 
were  intended  for,  and  afterwards  acted  as,  reserves. 
The  Second  Regiment  was  assigned  to  the  2nd  brigade, 


28  SECOND    RIIODK    ISLAND    YOU' NTKKKS.         [July. 

2nd  division.  The  division  was  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  David  Hunter  of  the  United  States  army.  The 
brigade  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Burnside,  and  con 
sisted,  with  the  Second  and  its  battery,  of  the  First 
Rhode  Island,  71st  New  York,  and  2nd  New  Hamp 
shire.  The  different  regiments  met  for  the  first  time,  as 
a  brigade,  on  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  July  16th,  when 
they  formed  on  Pennsylvania  avenue,  and  immediately 
marched  down  to  and  across  Long  Bridge  into  Virginia. 
The  Second  Regiment,  by  the  express  desire  of  Colonel 
Slocum,  was  given  the  honorable  post  of  the  head  of  the 
column.  The  army  bivouacked  that  night  at  Annandale. 
On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  at  an  early  hour,  tin- 
march  was  resumed.  Colonel  Hunter's  division  (two 
brigades),  marched  by  Little  River  turnpike,  which  was 
the  main  road  to  Fairfax  Court  House;  the  1st  division 
(four  brigades),  under  General  Tyler  of  Connecticut,, 
marched  by  way  of  Falls  Church;  the  3rd  division  (three, 
brigades),  under  Colonel  S.  P.  Heintzelman  of  the  United 
States  army,  pushed  along  the  railroad.  Three  columns 
were  thus  converging  upon  Fairfax  Court  House  —  Col 
onel  Hunter's  in  the  centre,  flanked  on  the  right  by  Gen 
eral  Tyler's  and  on  the  left  by  Colonel  Heintzelman's. 
With  the  centre  column  was  General  McDowell.  With 
the  2nd  brigade  were  Governor  Sprague,  Colonel  John 
A.  (ianlner,  and  one  or  two  citizens  of  Providence,  as 
volunteers.  The  march  was  pursued  with  great  caution, 
yet  with  commendable  expedition.  Captain  Turner's 
company  (K),  was  deployed  in  advance  and  on  either 
side  of  the  road  as  skirmishers.  No  worse  obstruction, 
however,  was  encountered  than  a  few  trees,  that  had 
been  felled  and  were  lying  across  the  road,  as  Fair 
fax  Court  House  was  rendered  untenable  by  the  dispo 
sition  of  General  McDowell's  force.  Nothing  more 


1801.]  TJIE    BATTLE    OF    BULL    KT.V.  29 

formidable  was  found  than  an  abandoned  open  breast 
work,,  which  had  evidently  been  held  by  a  battery  of  light 
artillery,  and  which  had  served  to  guard  the  road  against 
any  reconnoitring  party.  Fairfax  Court  House  was  oc 
cupied  about  noon,  and  the  troops  were  quartered  in 
various  places  about  the  town.  Colonel  Heintzelman's 
division  —  having  had  a  little  skirmishing  on  the  rail 
road —  occupied  Fairfax  Station,  and  General  Tyler's 
command  bivouacked  at  German  town. 

The  first  regiment  to  enter  the  town,  after  the  skir 
mishers,  was  the  Second,  and  Sergeant  Duffy  was  ordered 
to  display  the  national  flag  from  the  top  of  one  of  the 
buildings  in  the  outskirts  of  the  village,  as  an  indication 
to  General  Tyler's  column,  which  was  advancing  upon 
another  road,  that  the  place  was  in  our  hands.  The 
town  stands  upon  high  ground,  and  the  outlook  was 
wide.  The  secession  flag,  however,  was  still  flying  from 
the  flag-staff  on  the  court  house  itself.  Sergeant  Tag- 
gart  and  Corporal  McMahon  of  Company  A  determined 
to  capture  it.  The  corporal  ascended  to  the  cupola  and 
had  the  satisfaction  of  detaching  the  symbol  of  rebellion. 
As  it  was  thrown  from  the  roof  it  was  caught  by  Tag- 
gart,  and  by  him  was  handed  over  to  the  proper  authori 
ties.  The  sight  of  the  flag  and  of  the  abandoned  stores 
of  the  enemy  somewhat  inflamed  the  men,  and  the 
defenceless  state  of  the  town,  so  lately  evacuated,  invited 
plunder.  As  the  troops  were  permitted  to  roam  at  will, 
many  excesses  Avere  committed  and  considerable  damage 
was  done  in  and  about  the  place,  much  to  the  mortifica 
tion  of  the  better  disciplined  part  of  the  command. 
General  McDowell  was  especially  indignant,  and  issued  a 
stringent  order,  in  condemnation  of  such  practices. 

On  the  18th,  the  2nd  division  inarched  out  for  a  mile 
or  two,  and  halted  for  the  greater  part  of  the  day. 
3* 


30  SECOND    RHODE    ISLAND    VOU'NTKKKS.         [July, 

Heintzelman  pushed  along  the  railroad  to  Sanest  IT'S 
Station,  while  Tyler  proceeded  through  Centre vi lie  to 
Blackburn's  Ford.  By  some  undesigned  and  incautious 
movement,  Tyler's  leading  regiments  became  involved  in 
a  short  but  sanguinary  conflict  at  the  ford,  which  ended 
in  their  retirement  before  a  heavy  advance  of  the  enemy 
from  Manassas  Junction.  The  men  of  the  2nd  division 
heard  the  booming  of  the  cannon,  but  received  no  orders 
to  go  forward  until  nearly  the  middle  of  the  afternoon. 
The  result  of  Tyler's  "  reconnoissance  " — as  it  was  called 
at  the  time  —  was  not  encouraging  to  anybody  but  the 
enemy's  forces.  General  Beauregard,  having  ascertained 
our  purpose  of  attack,  notified  Johnston,  who  succeeded 
in  giving  Patterson  the  slip  and  hastened  to  join  the 
threatened  army  at  Manassas.  General  McDowell  con 
centrated  his  command  around  (Vntreville  and  waited  in 
inaction  for  two  days.  The  ">th  division  (Colonel  Miles's) 
was  advanced  to  the  main  body,  and  a  part  of  General 
Kunyon's  4th  division  was  drawn  forward  to  Fail-fax 
Court  House.  General  McDowell's  plan,  as  at  first  it  was 
understood,  was  to  make  a  direct  attack  upon  Manassas 
Junction,  by  way  of  Blackburn's  and  Mitchell's  Fords 
and  Union  Mills,  but,  upon  further  deliberation.  In- 
decided  to  make  a  flank  movement  to  the  right,  over  an 
unused  forest  road,  which  had  been  partially  traced  by 
his  reconnoitring  parties,  cross  Bull  Run  at  Sudley 
Ford,  march  down  the  stream  to  Stone  Bridge,  and 
thence  upon  the  Junction.  Hunter  and  lleint/elman 
were  to  make  this  movement,  while  Tyler  pushed  straight 
along  the  turnpike,  to  join  the  other  columns,  after  they 
had  crossed  the  run,  and  Miles  guarded  the  lower  fords. 
Heint/elman  was  expected  to  cross  Bull  Kun  at  a  ford 
between  Stone  Bridge  and  Sndley's.  On  the  other  side, 
Beauivgard,  ive'n forced  by  Johnston,  was  contemplating 


TIIK    15ATTLK    OF    15ULL    KIN.  ol 

an  attack  upon  the  Union  position  at  Centreville,  and 
was  conccntratini:  his  command  along  the  line  from 
Stone  Bridge  to  Union  Mills.  Had  McDowell's  advance 

O 

been  made  with  celerity,  success  would  doubtless  have 
crowned  his  efforts,  and  the  mistake  of  Thursday  would 
have  been  fully  retrieved.  • 

It  was  expected  that  the  march  would  begin  at  ii 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  20th,  but,  for  some 
reason,  it  was  deferred  to  2  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
the  -.M>t.  Hunter's  command  was  promptly  formed,  and 
marched  forward.  On  arriving  at  Tyler's  camps,  his 
regiments,  which  should  have  been  on  the  road,  wen- 
just  forming.  The  delays,  inseparable  from  all  military 
movements,  were  here  vexatiously  apparent.  It  was  not 
till  after  daylight  that  Tyler  got  away;  it  was  not  till 
after  sunrise  that  Hunter  entered  upon  the  forest  path. 
Two  hours  and  more  were  thus  lost  —  enough  to  decide 
the  fate  of  the  dav. 

What  a  toilsome  march  it  was  through  'the  woods! 
AVhat  wearisome  work  in  clearing  away  the  fallen  trees, 
which  now  and  then  obstructed  the  path!  The  Second 
Regiment  led  the  van,  with  skirmishers  well  thrown  out 
on  either  side.  The  artillery  could  be  moved  but  with 
difficulty.  Colonel  Hunter,  who  was  lame,  proceeded  in 
a  carriage.  Other  vehicles  were  along,  with  civilians, 
who  wished  to  see  the  battle.  The  march  was  necessarily 
slow,  and  it  was  not  till  9  o'clock,  that  the  head  of  the 
column  emerged  from  the  woods,  and  came  out  upon  a 
comparatively  good  farm  road,  along  which  were  scat 
tered  a  few  comfortable-looking  houses,  about  a  mile 
1'n  »m  Sudley  Ford.  The  inhabitants  of  the  neighborhood 
were  out,  dressed  in  their  Sunday  clothes,  apparently 
preparing  to  go  to  church.  But  the  little  building, 
which  has  become  historical  as  Sudley  Church,  was  ta 


32  SECOXD    KHODE    ISLAND    VOLUXTKKRS.          [July, 

witness  no  worsliip  on  tliat  day.  By  the  time  usually 
assigned  for  the  beginning  of  the  service,  it  had  become 
a  hospital,  and  was  filled  with  wounded  and  dying  men. 
The  division  passed  the  ford  slowly,  for  the  day  had 
become  very  warm,  and  the  horses  and  men  were  thirsty. 
General  McDowell  and  his  staff  came  riding  up  in  haste, 
saying,  as  he  passed  Colonel  Burnside,  "The  enemy  is 
moving  heavy  columns  from  Manassas."  The  men  at 
once  quickened  their  steps.  Colonel  Hunter,  with  Slo- 
cum  and  the  Second  Regiment,  hurried  forward,  rounded 
a  small  piece  of  forest  that  concealed  the  crest  of  the 
hill  above  the  Warrenton  turnpike,  and  came  out  upon 
an  open  field  beyond.  Upon  the  left  of  this  open  space 
was  a  small  house,  with  outbuildings,  belonging  to  a  man 
named  Mathews.  Sloping  down  to  a  piece  of  woods  in 
front  was  a  large  corn-field.  The  plateau  upon  which 
the  column  emerged  was  an  admirable  position,  and 
commanded  a  wide  and  pleasant  prospect.  Here  the 
skirmishers  of  the  Second  (Captain  Hodman's  company), 
and  the  carbineers  of  the  First  (Captain  Frank  Goddard's 
command),  were  met  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  who  was 
pressing  up  the  hill  in  considerable  force.  The  advance 
was  not  a  moment  too  soon.  Colonel  Slocum  immedi 
ately  formed  the  Regiment  in  line  of  battle,  promptly 
accepted  the  challenge,  and  returned  the  fire.  Captain 
Reynolds's  battery  was  at  once  put  in  position  upon  the 
right  and  opened  its  guns.  The  71st  New  York  formed 
in  line  in  a  field,  through  which  ran  an  abandoned  rail 
road  embankment,  behind  the  woods.  Griffin's  battery 
of  United  States  artillery,  coming  up  in  their  rear,  drove 
through  their  ranks,  disturbing,  fora  moment,  their  for 
mation,  and  the  shot  and  shell  of  the  enemy's  batteries 
fell  in  the  midst  of  them.  The  2nd  New  Hampshire 
deployed  still  farther  to  the  right,  and  the  First  Rhode 


1861.]  mi:  HATTLE  OF  BULL  RUX.  >}•> 

Island  was  lield  in  reserve  among1  the  woods,  in  which 
the  enemy's  shells  were  falling  thick  and  fast.  Colonel 
Porter,  who  led  the  1st  hrigade,  brought  his  command 
up,  and,  thinking  that  Bnrnside  •'•  was  attacking  with 
too  hasty  vigor,"  formed  his  line  to  the  right.  Heintz- 
elman,  who  did  not  succeed  in  finding  the  road  that  led 
to  the  ford  by  which  he  expected  to  cross  Bull  Rim,. 
had  continued  his  march  in  the  rear  of  Hunter,  and  the 
head  of  his  column  was  now  slowly  crossing  at  Sudley 
Ford.  There  was  some  confusion  in  transmitting  orders. 
It  -was  evident  that  General  McDowell  was  meeting,  at 
this  point,  with  a  stronger  resistance  than  he  had  antici 
pated. 

Meanwhile,  the  Second  Regiment  was  hotly  engaged 
with  one  or  two  regiments  of  Georgia,  Alabama,  and 
South  Carolina  troops,  with  artillery,  and  made  so  gal 
lant  a  tight  as  to  push  the  enemy  off  the  plateau  and 
partly  down  the  hillside.  In  the  corn-field  on  the  slope, 
and  among  the  woods  beyond,  he  found  a  temporary 
shelter.  But  the  fire  of  the  Second  was  hot  and  deadly, 
and  although  fresh  troops  were  constantly  coming  up 
against  them,  our  men  obstinately  held  the  crest  they 
had  so  bravely  won.  For  nearly  half  an  hour —  it  seemed 
longer  to  those  who  were  awaiting  support  —  while  the 
brigade  was  forming,  did  the  Regiment  fight  on,  single- 
handed.  Early  in  the  contest  Hunter  was  wounded  in 
the  neck,  and  retired  from  the  field.  Meeting  Colonel 
Burnside,  he  said:  "Burnside,  I  leave  the  matter  in 
your  hands.  Slocum  and  his  Regiment  went  in  hand 
somely,  and  drove  the  scoundrels."  The  brigade  was 
immediately  sent  into  the  field,  the  First  Regiment  rush 
ing  through  the  woods  with  a  shout,  and  relieving  the 
Second,  which  made  a  flank  movement  to  the  left  in  the 
midst  of  the  fire.  The  Tlst  New  York,  with  its  howit- 


34  SECOND    RHODE   ISLAND    YOl.r.VTKKKS.          [July, 

zers,  formed  on  the  right,  and  the  2nd  New  Hampshire 
came  gallantly  uj)  in  support  of  Reynolds's  battery,  which 
was  now  on  the  right  of  the  71st.  The  battle  at  this 
time  was  raging  furiously,  the  enemy  holding  his  ground 
well,  and  men  and  horses  were  falling  on  all  sides  before 
the  rapid  and  scathing  fire  of  the  foe.  To  those  who 
were  in  their  first  battle,  the  air  seemed  full  of  missiles. 
Governor  Sprague,  acting  as  volunteer  aide  to  Colonel 
Burnside,  and  Lieutenant  Weeden  of  the  battery,  had 
each  a  horse  shot  under  him,  in  the  early  hours  of  the 
fight.  The  enemy  was  in  full  and  constant!}  increasing 
force,  but  our  own  troops  were  coming  up,  the  day  was 
going  well  with  us,  and  affairs  looked  promising  for  a 
complete  victory. 

Along  the  upper  boundary  of  the  corn-field,  to  which 
allusion  has  been  made,  ran  a  rail  fence.  The  Second 
Regiment,  ranged  near  this,  was  making  a  gallant  fight. 
Colonel  Slocum,  climbing  the  fence,  turned  to  the  Regi 
ment  to  cheer  on  his  command.  II -j  was  shot  in  the 
side  and  back  of  his  head,  and  fell  to  the  ground.  He 
\va>  carried  to  the  Mathews  house,  a  few  feet  to  the  rear, 
and  was  there  attended  by  Dr.  Harris,  who  was  assidu 
ously  engaged  in  caring  for  his  wounded  men.  But  the 
brave  soldier,  though  conscious  and  apparently  recogniz 
ing  his  friends,  never  spoke  again.  In  a  lull  of  the 
battle  a  door  was  taken  from  its  hinges  and  he  was  borne 
to  the  rear,  where  the  main  hospital  had  been  established 
under  the  charge  of  Dr.  Wheaton.  Nearly  at  the  same 
time  with  the  fall  of  Colonel  Slocum,  a  round  shot 
struck  Major  liallou.  shattering  one  of  his  legs.  Cap 
tain  Tower  of  Company  F  was  shot  dead.  Colonel 
Marston  of  the  2nd  New  Hampshire  was  wounded  in  the 
shoulder,  but  still  kept  the  field.  Lieutenant  Present t 
of  Company  \*.  Fir-t  IJhode  Island,  was  killed  in  the 


1861.]  THE    liATTLE   OF   BULL   RTX.  35 

active  discharge  of  his  duty.  Many  men  in  all  the  regi 
ments  fell  killed  or  wounded.  Among  the  latter  were 
the  color-sergeant  and  one  of  the  color-guard  of  the 
First  Rhode  Island.  Of  the  Second,  color-corporal  Car 
penter  was  mortally  wounded,  and  color-corporal  Burt 
was  wounded,  taken  to  the  rear,  and  afterwards  fell  into 
the  enemy's  hands.  The  ranks  were  thinning  rapidly, 
when  Colonel  Porter,  at  the  solicitation  of  Colonel  Burn- 
side,  sent  Major  Sykes,  with  a  batallion  of  the  2nd,  3rd, 
and  8th  United  States  Infantry,  to  the  support  of  the 
2nd  brigade.  They  came  upon  the  field  at  a  double- 
<iuick.  and,  with  a  ringing  cheer,  charged  down  to  the 
left  and  relieved  the  Second  Regiment.  Captain  Rey- 
nolds's  battery  advanced  a  section  to  a  position  farther  in 
front  upon  the  right,  where  the  horses  were  disabled  and 
a  caisson  lost.  Upon  the  left,  Colonel  W.  T.  Sherman's 
brigade  of  the  1st  division,  having  crossed  Bull  Run  above 
the  Stone  Bridge,  marched  across  the  hills,  and,  taking 
position  immediately  in  rear  of  our  line,  allowed  Colonel 
Burnaide  to  withdraw  his  brigade.  It  was  just  in  time, 
for  the  ammunition  was  exhausted,  and  the  men  had  had 
hard  righting.  Sherman  at  once  advanced  his  command, 
and.  joined  by  Colonel  Keyes's  brigade,  also  of  the  1st 
division,  pushed  on  to  the  Warrenton  turnpike  and 
beyond.  Heintzelman  brought  up  his  division  on  the 
right,  and  the  battle  passed  over  to  his  front. 

At  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  there  was  a  perceptible 
cessation  of  the  conflict  in  the  neighborhood  of  our  first 
position.  An  occasional  puff  of  smoke  was  to  be  seen  in 
the  vicinity  of  Blackburn's  Ford,  five  or  six  miles  away, 
where  little  was  done  beyond  manoeuvring  to  prevent  an 
advance  of  the  enemy  upon  our  extreme  left.  It  seemed 
as  though  the  day  was  won.  and  our  troops  would  be  at 
Manassas  Junction  before  night.  The  men  of  the  2nd 


36  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         ['July, 


were  receiving  their  ammunition  and  enjoying 
their  first  opportunity  for  the  day  of  taking  some  refresh 
ment  from  canteen  and  haversack.  The  husiest  persons 
were  the  surgeons  and  their  assistants,  and  the  chaplains, 
who  were  at  work  among  the  wounded.  A  part  of  the 
enemy's  force  was  retreating  toward  Manassas,  broken, 
dispirited  and  in  disorder. 

Half  an  hour  later  and  the  scene  was  entirely  changed. 
Fresh  reinforcements  from  the  enemy's  troops  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  were  brought  by  rail,  and,  leaving  the 
•cars  upon  our  right,  marched  across  the  fields  to  take 
part  in  the  battle.  A  few  regiments  also  came  up  from 
the  neighborhood  of  Stone  Bridge,  on  the  hither  side  of 
which  General  Schenck's  brigade  was  stationed,  without, 
however,  participating  actively  in  the  fight.  Colonel  T. 
J.  Jackson  —  "Stonewall  Jackson,"  after  this  day,  for 
his  indomitable  pluck  —  led  his  brigade  from  the  en 
emy's  right,  and,  with  the  other  troops,  bore  down  upon 
our  right  flank  with  terrible  force.  It  was  too  much 
for  Heintzelman's  division,  —  the  smallest  in  the  army  — 
which  was  quickly  doubled  up  and  broken  to  pieces. 
Griffin  lost  all  his  guns  but  one.  Ricketts's  United  States 
battery  was  lost,  retaken  and  lost  again,  and  Ricketts 
himself  was  made  prisoner.  Colonel  Willcox  of  the  1st 
Michigan,  in  command  of  a  brigade  in  the  3rd  division, 
was  captured.  Colonel  Cameron,  brother  of  the  secretary 
of  war,  in  command  of  the  79th  New  York,  was  killed. 
Two  of  Reynolds's  guns  were  disabled,  one  of  which  was 
lost  on  the  way  to  the  rear,  and  the  other  was  brought 
safely  into  cam}).  A  scene  of  confusion  now  occurred, 
impossible  to  describe.  It  seemed  as  though  the  Union 
army  melted  away.  Schenck,  who  had  spent  the  day  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Stone  Hridge,  without  crossing  the 
run,  retired  to  (Vntiwille  along  the  turnpike,  in  some 


1SG1.]  THE   BATTLE   OF   BULL   RUX.  37 

-disorder.     Sherman  and  Keyes  were  compelled  to  with 
draw  their  commands.     General   McDowell,    although 
Burnside's  brigade  still  held  its  organization,  ordered  a 
retreat,  and  then  hastened  back  to  Centreville,  to  see  that 
his  reserves  were  properly  posted.     The  roads  were  filled 
with   soldiers,  hurrying   along,  divesting  themselves  of 
arms  and  accoutrements,  the  better  to  speed  their  way. 
Burnside  rallied  his  brigade  just  across  the  run,  and  with 
Sykes's  battalion   and   Captain   Arnold's  United   States 
battery,  formed   a  rear  guard  for  the  retreating  mass. 
The  artillery  and  cavalry  went  off  to  the  front,  and  the 
infantry  were  left  to  pick  up  the  stragglers  and  defend 
the  shattered  remains  of  the  army.     At  a  clearing  in  the 
woods,  a  short  distance  before  reaching  Cub  Run,  the 
L'lH'inv's  cavalry  made  an  attack,  which  was   easily  re 
pulsed.     Upon  a  hill  by  the  roadside,  commanding  the 
bridge  by  which  the  turnpike  crosses  Cub  Run,  a  battery 
of  rebel  artillery  was  planted,  and  made  fearful  execution. 
Baggage  wagons,  ambulances,  caissons,  artillery  carriages, 
were  smashed  to  pieces.     The  bodies  of  horses  and  merr 
were  lying  among  the   debris.     The  bridge  was  soon 
obstructed.     Captain  Reynolds  here  lost  his  four  remain 
ing  guns,  and  here  also  were  abandoned  the  howitzers  of 
the  71st  Xew  York,  for  it  was  utterly  impossible  to  trans 
port  them  across  the  stream.     Here  also  was  killed  Cap 
tain  S.  J.  Smith  of  Company  I.     The  brigade  crossed 
the  run  as  best  it  could,  toiled  up  the  hill  beyond  —  on 
the  brow  of  which  Blenker's  brigade  of  Miles's  division 
was  standing  in  line  of  battle  —  and  by  9  o'clock  was  in 
its  former  camp  at  Centreville.     Fires  were  lighted,  sup 
per  was  prepared,  and  the  troops  went  into  bivouac,  as 
was  supposed,  for   the   night.     But,  about   11   o'clock, 
McDowell   ordered   a   retreat   to   Washington,  and   the 
brigade   once    more   took  the   road.      It   crossed  Long 


38  SECOXD   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [July, 

Bridge  about  8  o'clock  the  next  morning,  and  returned 
to  its  old  camping  grounds.  Among  the  troops  that  lost 
110  honor,  but  "rather  gained  distinction,  in  this  fierce 
battle  and  painfully  humiliating  retreat,  were  the  Second 
Rhode  Island  and  its  companion  regiments  of  Burnside's 
brigade.  By  their  fine  bearing  and  good  conduct  through 
out  this  brief  but  disastrous  movement,  the  Rhode  Island 
soldiers  secured  for  themselves  and  their  state  an  envi 
able  fame.  The  confidence  which  was  reposed  in  them 
was  well  illustrated  during  the  night,  when,  at  a  cross 
road,  Colonel  Burnside's  staff  officers  were  directing  the 
different  regiments  of  the  brigade.  Some  of  Sherman's 
brigade  were,  immediately  following.  "Rhode  Island 
this  way!"  shouted  the  officers.  The  response  came 
from  the  rear  of  the  column:  "Where  Rhode  Island 
leads  we'll  all  follow." 

The  Regiment  —  both  infantry  and  artillery  —  lost  in 
this  battle  and  on  the  retreat,  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
prisoners,  104  officers  and  men.  As  has  already  been 
stated,  Colonel  Slocum,  Major  Ballon,  and  Captain  Tower 
fell  upon  the  field,  and  Captain  Smith  was  killed  near  the 
Cub  Run  bridge,  on  the  retreat.  22  men  were  killed  and 
4,  badly  wounded,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and 
afterwards  died  in  prison.  3  officers — Lieutenants  Ar 
nold  and  Williams  of  Company  A,  and  Lieutenant  Cook 
of  Company  I  —  and  36  men  were  wounded,  but  suc 
ceeded  in  getting  off  the  field.  2  officers  —  Doctor  Har 
ris,  who  voluntarily  remained  at  the  hospital  to  take  care 
of  the  wounded,  and  Lieutenant  Church  of  Company 
II — Quartermaster-Sergeant  Jencks,  1  member  of  the 
band,  and  10  men,  were  taken  prisoners,  un wounded. 
21  wounded  men  \\viv  taken  and  carried  South,  where, 
after  many  hardships,  tlu-y  iv,-,, \vred  sufficiently  to  be 
exchanged;  but,  not  long  after  their  release,  8  of  these 


1861.]  THE   BATTLE   OF   BULL   RUX.  39 

were  discharged  on  the  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability. 

The  casualties  were  divided  as  follows:  Field  and 
staff,  '2  killed,  1  prisoner;  non-commissioned  staff,  1  pris 
oner;  band,  1  prisoner;  Company  A,  2  officers  wounded, 
6  men  wounded,  and  '2  prisoners;  Company  B,  3  men 
wounded,  2  wounded  and  prisoners;  .Company  C,  1  man 
killed,  5  wounded,  3  wounded  and  prisoners;  Company 
D,  4  men  killed,  2  wounded,  1  wounded,  taken,  and 
died  in  prison,  1  prisoner;  Company  E,  4  men  killed,  2 
wounded,  1  wounded  and  prisoner,  1  prisoner;  Company 
F,  1  officer,  1  man  killed,  3  wounded,  5  wounded  and 
prisoners,  2  prisoners;  Company  G,  3  men  wounded,  1 
wounded,  taken,  and  died  in  prison,  1  wounded  and 
prisoner;  Company  H,  2  men  killed,  1  wounded,  1 
officer  and  3  men  prisoners;  Company  I,  1  officer  and 
2  men  killed,  1  officer  and  2  men  wounded,  2  wounded 
and  prisoners,  1  prisoner;  Company  K,  5  men  killed,  2 
wounded,  taken,  and  died  in  prison,  3  wounded  and  4 
wounded  and  prisoners.  The  battery  had  signalized  itself 
by  the  distinguished  coolness  and  bravery  of  officers  and. 
men.  It  met  with  severe  losses.  Several  horses  were 
killed,  five  guns  were  captured  by  the  enemy,  as  it  was 
impossible  to  transport  them  across  Cub  Run.  3  men 
were  killed,  Sergeant-Major  Randolph  and  5  men  were 
wounded,  and  3  men  were  wounded  and  taken  prisoners. 
The  battery  drew  a  heavy  fire  upon  itself  throughout  the 
battle  at  different  times,  and  its  losses  attest  the  gallantry 
with  which  it  was  served. 

Colonel  Slocum's  death  was  widely  lamented,  even 
beyond  the  limits  of  his  own  state.  He  had  won  dis 
tinction  in  the  Mexican  war,  as  an  officer  in  the  well- 
known  and  famous  9th  regiment,  and  was  highly  esteemed 
throughout  the  army.  A  very  brilliant  future  was  open 
ing  before  him,  and,  had  he  lived,  he  would  doubtless 


40  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [July, 

have  gained  rank  and  renown  among  the  foremost. 
Joined  with  a  remarkable  fearlessness,  he  had  been  en 
dowed  with  rare  military  gifts  and  qualities,  which  would 
have  been  of  immense  service  to  the  country.  He  had 
also  the  faculty  of  attracting  to  himself  a  personal  confi 
dence  and  love  to  a  remarkable  degree.  Those  who 
knew  him  became  strongly  attached  to  him,  and  no  one 
was  more  sincerely  mourned. 

Major  Ballon  entered  the  service  from  the  most  con 
scientious  and  patriotic  motives.  He  left  a  profession, 
in  which  he  had  already  gained  a  very  creditable  standing 
and  a  lucrative  practice,  to  undertake  the  new  and  un 
familiar  duties  of  a  military  life.  He  sedulously  gave 
himself  to  the  task,  omitting  no  opportunity,  study,  or 
labor,  to  perfect  himself  in  the  art  of  the  soldier.  Under 
so  complete  a  master  as  Colonel  Slocum,  he  made  rapid 
progress,  and  bade  fair  to  excel  in  the  new  profession  he 
had  chosen.  He  studied  the  New  Testament,  as  well, 
and  showed  himself  a  truly  Christian  soldier.  None 
could  be  braver  and  cooler  amid  the  excitements  of  bat 
tle,  and  none  could  meet  death  with  a  steadier  front* 
He  lingered  for  two  or  three  days,  suffering  intense  pain 
from  his  wound.  But  not  a  murmur  escaped  his  lips, 
and  he  died  as  peacefully  in  the  midst  of  enemies,  as. 
though  dear  and  sympathizing  friends  were  around  Ms- 
bed.  Captains  Tower  and  Smith  had  proved  themselves, 
good  soldiers.  The  former  had  already  served  with  the 
First  Rhode  Island,  and  had  shown  great  capacity  for  a 
soldiers  life.  The  latter  had  gone  bravely  through  the 
battle,  conspicuous  even  among  his  comrades  for  his 
courage  and  skill.  In  the  blood  and  sacrifice  of  these 
heroic  men  did  the  Regiment  receive  its  consecration. 

It  is  almost  needless  now  to  discuss  the  causes  of  the 
defeat  which  the  Union  army  suffered  at  Bull  Run. 


1861.]  THE   BATTLE   OF   BULL   HUN".  41 

Opinions  are  divided  as  to  the  amount  of  responsibility 
which  General  Patterson  had  for  the  result,  in  not  retain 
ing  Johnston  in  the  valley.  But  Patterson  acted  under 
orders  from  General  Scott,  and  there  seems  to  have  been 
a  misunderstanding  between  the  two,  as  to  the  mean 
ing  of  some  of  them.  But,  even  without  Patterson's  aid 
and  cooperation,  McDowell  wrould  have  gained  a  com 
plete  victory,  had  he  possessed  a  stronger  hold  upon  his 
own  command.  His  plan  of  battle  has  been  commended 
by  competent  critics.  Had  it  been  fully  carried  out,  it 
would  have  had  a  grand  success.  The  two  days'  delay 
at  Centreville  was  exceedingly  harmful.  But  even  that 
was  not  fatal,  and  could  have  been  retrieved.  The  troops 
did  well  when  they  had  become  fairly  engaged.  But 
tlu-y  were  soon  exhausted.  -  They  did  not  know  how  tc* 
utilize  the  time  of  their  halts.  Just  before  reaching  the 
field  one  of  these  halts  occurred,  lasting  a  quarter  of  an 
hour  or  more.  The  volunteer  officers  remarked  the  fact, 
that  the  regular  troops  that  were  with  the  column  imme 
diately  cooked  their  coffee,  and  got  a  tolerably  ample 
breakfast.  The  volunteers  lounged  and  dozed  away  the 
time.  In  the  battle,  while  the  excitement  lasted,  none 
could  be  braver  and  more  active.  But,  as  soon  as  they 
were  relieved,  heat  and  hunger  prevailed  against  them. 
The  order  for  retreat  was  the  worst  possible  for  them, 
because,  to  their  minds,  retreat  meant  absolute  disaster. 
Said  an  officer  of  the  United  States  army  to  the  author 
of  this  volume,  a  few  days  before  the  battle:  "Your 
men  will  make  splendid  soldiers  to  advance,  but  they 
will  not  know  how  to  retreat.'*' 

Of  course,  the  chief  cause  of  defeat  was  want  of  dis 
cipline.  Sherman  once  said:  "At  the  battle  of  Bull 
Hun  my  brigade  was  defeated,  not  by  the  enemy,  but  by 
a  blackberry  patch.  In  the  early  days  of  the  war  a  regi- 


42  SECOND   RHODE  ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.         [July, 

ment  could  not  pass  a  well  of  water,  without  breaking- 
ranks  and  going  to  get  a  drink."  It  was  too  true.  In. 
the  very  crisis  of  the  battle  itself,  hundreds  of  men  left 
the  ranks  and  went  down  to  Sudley  Spring  to  fill  their 
canteens.  The  troops  on  the  other  side  were  just  as  bad, 
and  at  one  time  a  large  portion  of  both  armies  were  rush 
ing  to  the  rear.  If  McDowell  had  had  a  brigade  of  fresh 
troops,  who  knew  how  to  maintain  their  formation,  to 
meet  the  reinforcements  of  the  enemy's  army,  he  could 
have  saved  the  day.  But  at  the  time  there  were  really 
no  reserves  near  enough  to  be  of  any  avail.  When 
Johnston  made  his  last  attack,  there  was  scarcely  more 
than  a  disorganized  mob  to  meet  him.  Indeed,  the  only 
available  troops  he  had  for  the  attack  were  those  which 
had  just  arrived.  The  rest  were  scattered  all  the  way 
from  the  field  to  Manassas  Junction.  As  it  was,  McDow 
ell  inflicted  such  a  severe  blow  upon  his  antagonist  as  to 
disable  him  for  immediate  pursuit,  and  make  it  impossi 
ble  for  him  to  reap  any  permanent  fruits  of  victory.  The 
Union  troops,  by  slow  degrees  and  painful  experience, 
gained  the  needed  discipline,  and  then,  at  last,  their 
hour  of  complete  triumph  came. 


1SG1.J  CAMP  BRIGHTWOOD. 


CHAPTER    III 

CAMP   BRIGHTWOOD. 


A  FTER  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  immediately  before? 
JJY  the  departure  of  the  First  Rhode  Island,  the  Second 
'  >  Regiment  exchanged  the  muskets,  which  had  done 
such  good  service  in  the  battle,  for  the  better  arms  car- 
ried  by  the  First.  The  Regiment  also  moved  into  Camp 
Sprague  and  occupied  the  huts  there  erected,  for  a  few 
weeks.  The  work  of  re-organization  was  immediately 
undertaken.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wheaton  was  advanced 
to  the  colonelcy.  Captain  Steere  of  Company  D  was 
promoted  to  lieutenant-colonel,  and  Captain  Viall  of 
C  to  major.  Captain  Charles  W.  Greene  had  resigned 
the  command  of  H,  June  27th,  to  accept  an  appointment 
in  the  19th  United  States  Infantry,  and  First  Lieutenant. 
B.  S.  Brown  was  promoted  to  the  captaincy  on  the  fol 
lowing  day.  First  Lieutenant  E.  H.  Sears  succeeded  to 
the  command  of  D;  First  Lieutenant  Clarke  of  K  was. 
promoted  to  captain  and  assigned  to  the  command  of  C;. 
First  Lieutenant  G.  W.  Weeden  of  G  was  promoted  to 
the  captaincy  of  F,  and  First  Lieutenant  Read  of  E  was 
promoted  to  captain  and  assigned  to  the  command  of 
Company  I.  Other  officers  were  advanced  one  grade* 


44  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAXD   VOLUNTEERS.          [July, 

Second  Lieutenants  Young  of  B,  Bowen  of  G,  Shaw  of 
F,  and  S.  J.  Smith  (adjutant),  were  promoted  to  first 
lieutenant.  Second  Lieutenant  Sherman  of  C  was  pro 
moted  and  assigned  to  the  first  lieutenancy  of  Company 
E.  The  line  of  promotion  ran  down  to  the  non-com 
missioned  officers.  Sergeant-Major  Russell  was  promoted 
to  second  lieutenant  and  assigned  to  G.  Color-sergeant 
Duffy,  for  his  bravery  in  defending  the  flag,  was  promoted 
to  second  lieutenant  of  C;  Sergeants  Manchester  of  G, 
and  W.  G.  Turner  of  K,  were  promoted  to  second  lieu 
tenants  in  their  respective  companies.  Sergeant  Capron 
of  I  was  promoted  to  sergeant-major.  William  Irving 
Ellis  was  appointed  second  lieutenant  and  assigned  to 
Company  F.  On  the  29th  of  July  Second  Lieutenant 
Williams  of  A  resigned,  and  on  the  30th  Moses  W. 
Collins  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

Most  of  these  promotions  and  appointments  were  dated 
from  the  22nd  of  July.  In  making  them,  the  governor 
issued  an  order,  congratulating  "the  Regiment  on  being 
permitted  by  the  United  States  government  to  have  the 
services  of  Captain  Wheaton,  and  he  relies  " —  the  order 
continued — "  upon  the  officers  and  men  to  give  him  their 
hearty  support  in  carrying  out  the  arduous  duties  of  the 
office  to  which  he  has  been  called.  In  behalf  of  the 
state  the  commander-in-chief  thanks  the  officers  and  men 
of  the  Second  Regiment,  for  their  noble  and  heroic  con 
duct  in  the  battle  of  the  21st,  and  he  feels  confident  that 
the  state  may  safely  entrust  her  honor,  in  all  future 
actions,  to  their  keeping."  The  appointment  of  Colonel 
Wheaton  was,  in  all  respects,  fortunate.  His  experience 
in  the  army  was  especially  valuable,  and  aided  him  greatly 
in  the  organization  and  conduct  of  his  command.  Am 
bitious  to  place  the  Regiment  in  the  front  rank  for  dis 
cipline  and  efficiency,  he  neglected  no  toil  which  would 


18GL]  CAMP   BRIGimVOOD.  45, 

conduce  to  the  attainment  of  this  desirable  end.  Slowly,, 
but  surely,  the  men  recovered  from  the  exhaustion  of  the 
battle,  and  the  daily  drill  and  duty  of  the  camp  put  the 
command  into  excellent  condition. 

Two  things  were  seen  to  be  needed  —  one  to  fill  the- 
vacancies  which  the  battle  had  made  in  the  ranks,  the 
other,  to  give  to  the  sick  and  wounded  the  benefit  of 
better  care,  than  they  could  then  have  in  the  house  which 
was  used  for  the  regimental  hospital.  Lieutenant  Shaw 
was  detailed,  on  the  28th,  for  regimental  recruiting  ser- 
vice,  and  sent  to  Rhode  Island,  with  authority  to  enlist 
two  musicians  and  seventy-eight  privates,  to  fill  the  com 
plement  of  the  Regiment.  A  board  of  survey,  consisting 
of  Captains  Rodman  and  Wright,  met  on  the  same  day,, 
to  determine  the  disposal  of  the  disabled  men.  It  was; 
decided  to  send  them  to  Providence,  with  the  hope  that  a 
change  of  air  and  scene  would  hasten  their  recovery. 
Surgeon  Wheaton  was  accordingly  directed,  on  the  30th,. 
to  proceed  with  them  to  their  destination,  taking  with 
him  Assistant  Hospital  Steward  C alder.  Chaplain  Jame 
son  also  accompanied  the  party,  which  embarked  on  the- 
3rd  of  August,  proceeding  by  sea,  and  arrived  safely  on 
the  8th.  The  sick  and  wounded  were  comfortably  cared 
for.  Dr.  Wheaton  remained  for  a  time,  to  assist  Lieu 
tenant  Shaw,  in  the  examination  of  recruits.  The  chap- 
kin  returned  to  camp  on  the  16th.  During  the  absence 
of  Dr.  Wheaton  the  duties  of  the  surgeon's  department 
were  performed  by  Drs.  Franklin  and  F.  H.  Peckham, 
the  latter  the  surgeon  of  the  Third  Rhode  Island.  Dr. 
George  W.  Carr,  who  had  been  assistant  surgeon  of  the* 
First,  was  appointed  assistant  surgeon  of  the  Second  on 
the  ^T th,  and  immediately  proceeded  to  camp,  relieving 
the  other  medical  gentlemen  of  their  temporary  charge. 

The  buttle  of  Bull  Run  and  other  causes  had  mado 


46  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.       [Aug., 

such  disturbance  among  the  non-commissioned  officers 
as  to  require  a  new  apportionment  of  grades.  In  point 
of  fact,  the  warrants  were  not  issued  at  the  time  of  mus 
ter,  and  when,  on  the  20th  of  August,  the  appointments 
were  settled  by  general  order,  numerous  changes  appeared. 
In  Company  A  Sergeant  Bates  was  appointed  orderly,  vice 
Wilson,  discharged  July  13th,  and  Corporals  Wells  and 
McMahon  were  promoted  to  sergeant;  privates  Charles 
W.  Gleason,  Sanford  E.  Moon,  Stillman  T.  Matteson, 
Samuel  Black,  and  Warren  C.  Lawton,  to  corporal.  In 
B,  private  William  F.  Allison  was  promoted  to  corporal, 
to  date  from  July  16th.  In  C,  Corporal  Curtis  was  pro 
moted  to  sergeant,  to  date  from  August  1st,  and  privates 
Caleb  B.  Kent,  Joshua  H.  Greene,  and  H.  L.  Taf  t,  to  cor 
poral,  from  the  same  date.  In  D,  Sergeant  English  was 
made  orderly,  to  date  from  July  17th,  Corporals  Kruger 
and  Tinkham  were  promoted  to  sergeant,  and  privates 
William  C.  Webb  and  Louis  E.  Hubbard  to  corporal.  In 
E,  Corporal  Lyons  was  promoted  to  sergeant,  and  privates 
Charles  T.  Brown,  Thomas  F.  Holland,  G.  W.  Thomas, 
Jr.,  Samuel  Slocum,  John  H.  Flier,  and  Paul  Visser,  to 
corporal,  to  date  from  August  1st.  In  F,  Sergeant  West 
was  appointed  orderly,  Corporals  Whipple,  Douglass,  and 
Wood,  were  promoted  to  sergeant,  to  date  from  July 
22nd,  and  privates  A.  W.  Clarke,  Robert  Robertson,  Jr., 
William  G.  Reynolds,  and  James  H.  Bennett,  to  corpo 
ral,  from  the  same  date.  In  G,  Corporal  Newman  was 
promoted  to  orderly  sergeant,  to  date  from  August  12th, 
and  privates  C.  C.  Pierce  and  George  T.  Easterbrook  to 
corporal,  the  latter  to  date  from  July  22nd.  In  H,  John 
G.  Bcveridge  —  a  former  member  of  the  First  Rhode 
Island  —  was  appointed  orderly  sergeant,  to  date  from 
August  6th,  Corporal  Byrnes  was  promoted  to  sergeant, 
to  date  from  August  1st,  and  privates  Benoni  Sweet, 


18GL]  CAMP  uiuoimvooD.  47 

from  July  5th,  Henry  Frcyberg,  James  B.  Hathaway, 
C.  II.  Nicholas,  S.  C.  Baker,  John  G.  Gardner,  Benjamin 
W.  Sherman,  and  Frederic  W.  Bliss,  to  corporal,  from 
August  1st.  In  I,  Corporal  Green  and  private  Joseph  M. 
Wood  were  promoted  to  sergeant,  and  privates  Samuel 
Wight,  C.  E.  Perkins,  D.  C.  Austin,  and  William  II. 
Greene,  to  corporal,  from  August  1st.  In  K,  Corporal 
Blake  and  private  H.  A.  Reynolds  were  promoted  to  ser 
geant,  from  July  22nd,  and  privates  W.  P.  Slocum  and 
M.  M.  West  to  corporal,  the  latter  to  date  from  July 
32nd. 

The  work  of  reorganization  was  not  confined  to  single 
regiments.  It  extended  throughout  the  army.  General 
McDowell  was  relieved  of  command,  and  General  George 
B.  McClellan, — the  senior  major-general  of  the  army, 
appointed  May  18th  —  who  had  carried  on  a  successful 
campaign  in  Western  Virginia,  was  summoned  to  Wash 
ington.  Lieutenant-General  Scott,  having  well  earned 
his  brevet  by  fifty-three  years'  continuous  service,  and 
warned  by  the  infirmities  of  advancing  age,  was  well  dis 
posed  to  commit  to  his  younger  subordinate  the  task  of 
organizing  anew  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  For  this 
work  General  McClellan  had  a  special  ability,  and  in  it 
he  was  at  first  greatly  aided  by  General  Burnside,  who 
was  appointed  a  brigadier-general  on  the  6th  of  August. 
The  war  was  assuming  a  new  aspect.  Fresh  regiments 
were  arriving  almost  daily,  and  required  care,  attention, 
and  assignment.  Around  Washington  our  lines  were 
drawn  in,  and  the  army  was  gradually  consolidated.  The 
enemy  advanced,  until  the  rebel  flag  could  be  seen  from 
the  dome  of  the  capitol,  flying  from  his  outposts.  The 
government  deemed  it  advisable  to  surround  the  city  with 
a  cordon  of  defensive  works.  A  series  of  small  hills  or 
plateaus,  about  four  miles  distant,  admirably  served  the 


48  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.       [Aug., 

purposes  of  the  military  engineers.  One  of  these,  at 
Brightwood, —  on  the  northeasterly  side  of  Washington, 
going  out  by  18th  street  —  was  selected  as  suitable  for  a 
fortification,  and  thither  the  Regiment  moved  on  the  6th. 
Captain  Turner's  company  (K)  was  left  at  Camp  Sprague 
to  guard  the  public  property  there,  and  remained  until  the 
latter  part  of  the  month,  when  it  rejoined  the  command. 
With  the  Regiment  were  brigaded  the  7th  and  10th 
Massachusetts  and  the  36th  New  York  Volunteers,  and 
General  D.  N".  Couch  was  assigned  to  the  command. 
Colonel  Wheatoii  was  desirous  of  naming  the  regimental 
•camp  in  honor  of  Colonel  Slocum,  but  General  Couch 
decided  to  give  the  name  of  Brightwood  to  the  entire 
-camp  of  the  brigade.  In  the  course  of  the  month  another 
brigade  was  formed,  consisting  of  the  23rd  and  31st 
Pennsylvania,  the  1st  Long  Island  Volunteers,  and  the 
1st  New  York  Chasseurs,  to  the  command  of  which 
General  L.  P.  Graham  was  assigned.  The  two  brigades 
formed  a  division,  under  the  command  of  General  Don 
Carlos  Buell.  Immediately  after  the  Regiment  moved 
out  to  Brightwood,  the  men  were  employed  upon  an 
earthwork  which  the  government  had  decided  to  con 
struct  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  camp.  The  labor 
upon  this  fortification  continued  with  more  or  less  regu 
larity  through  the  months  of  August  and  September. 
This  kind  of  duty  was,  in  a  measure,  distasteful,  and  its 
advantages  were  not  immediately  apparent.  But  there 
were  men  in  the  Regiment  who,  before  the  war  closed, 
were  glad,  on  this  very  spot,  to  acknowledge  its  benefits, 
and  to  approve  the  wisdom  of  the  authorities  in  its  prose 
cution.  Otherwise  Camp  Brightwood  was  a  very  pleas 
ant  place,  and  was  looked  back  upon  with  a  grateful 
remembrance,  amid  subsequent  scenes  of  hard  and  dan 
gerous  service. 


1861.]  CAMP   BRIGHTWOOD.  49 

Meanwhile,  the  friends  of  the  Regiment  at  home  had 
not  been  unmindful  of  its  claims  to  public  recognition 
and  gratitude.  The  General  Assembly  of  the  state  held 
a  session  of  three  days'  duration,  beginning  on  the  8th. 
Resolutions  of  thanks  were  presented,  were  received  with 
the  most  hearty  expressions  of  approval,  and  unanimously 
passed,  in  the  following  words: 

"Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  General  Assembly 
be  and  they  are  hereby  tendered  to  Colonel  "VVheaton  of 
the  Second  Rhode  Island  Volunteers,  and  the  officers  and 
men  under  his  command,  for  their  heroic  conduct  upon 
the  field  of  battle;  and  the  governor  is  hereby  requested 
to  cause  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  to  be  communicated 
to  Colonel  Wheaton,  and  Colonel  Wheaton  is  requested 
to  communicate  the  same  to  the  Regiment. 

"Resolved,  That  we  tender  our  sympathies  to  the 
families  of  Colonel  Slocum,  Major  Ballou,  Captains 
Tower  and  Smith,  Lieutenant  Prescott,  and  the  other 
officers  and  privates  who  lost  their  lives  in  the  late  battle 
near  Manassas,  in  Virginia,  and  the  governor  be  requested 
to  communicate  this  resolution  to  them,  in  such  a  manner 
as  he  may  deem  proper." 

Other  things  conducive  to  the  comfort  of  the  men 
came  from  Rhode  Island.  Messrs.  Earl  Carpenter  and 
Sons  sent  ice,  and  numerous  packages  from  the  ladies  of 
the  different  towns  in  the  state,  in  which  the  Regiment 
had  been  raised,  attested  the  interest  of  the  people  in 
their  soldiers.  Colonel  Wheaton's  order  recognized  the 
kindness  of  the  Messrs.  Carpenter,  Dr.  E.  M.  Snow, 
Captain  Z.  Chase,  Captain  Applegate  of  the  John  For- 
syth,  Captain  Sipple  of  the  Allen  Middleton,  "the  ladies 
brave  and  fair  of  Providence,  Bristol,  Warren,  East 
Greenwich,  and  other  places,  for  numberless  articles  of 
handiwork"  and  other  comforts,  and  invoked  God's 
5 


50  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.        [Aug., 

blessing  "for  the  kind  and  generous  deeds  which  have 
contributed,  in  no  small  degree,  to  the  greatly  improved 
and  encouraging  condition  of  the  Second  Rhode  Island 
Regiment." 

Friends,  farther  away,  were  busy  in  preparing  testimo 
nials  of  their  gratitude  and  esteem.  The  two  Rhode 
Island  regiments,  which  were  engaged  at  Bull  Run,  had 
won  a  fame  which  extended  to  the  remotest  frontier. 
Native  Rhode  Islanders,  resident  in  California,  were 
proud  of  their  state,  and  were  moved  to  give  expression 
to  their  feelings  in  the  way  which,  at  that  time,  seemed 
best  suited  to  exhibit  their  interest.  They  prepared  two 
sets  of  colors,  one  of  which  was  forwarded  to  Hon.  W. 
H.  Cranston,  mayor  of  Newport,  where  the  color-com 
pany  of  the  First  Regiment  belonged;  the  other  to  Gov 
ernor  Sprague,  for  presentation  to  the  respective  com 
mands.  The  gift  was  accompanied  by  a  letter  to  the 
governor,  which,  so  far  as  relates  to  the  Second  Regiment, 
is  here  transcribed: 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  August,  1861. 
"To  His  EXCELLENCY  WILLIAM  SPRAGUE,  GOVERNOR 

OF  RHODE  ISLAND: 

"SiR:  —  At  a  meeting  of  the  natives  and  citizens  of 
Rhode  Island  now  resident  in  California,  we  were  ap 
pointed  a  committee  to  forward  to  your  Excellency  a  set 
of  regimental  colors  for  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Regi 
ment,  to  be  by  you  presented  to  them  in  person,  as  a 
token  of  our  esteem  and  admiration  for  the  prompt, 
noble,  and  efficient  response  made  by  them  to  the 
patriotic  call  of  our  country,  to  fight  for  constitutional 
liberty,  and  for  the  brave,  honorable,  and  veteran-like 
manner  in  which  they  have  performed  their  duties." 

This  letter  was  signed  by  William   Sherman,  E.  P. 


1861.]  (  AMP    BRIGHT  WOOD.  51 

Peckham,  James  N.  Olney,  B.  H.  Randolph,  and  C.  V. 
S.  Gibbs,  as  committee  of  the  donors.  The  following 
address  was  also  sent  to  the  Regiment: 

"SAN  FRANCISCO,  August,  1861. 
•"To  THE   OFFICERS  AND   SOLDIERS  OF  THE    SECOND 

RHODE   ISLAND: 

"BROTHERS:  —  Although  we  are  distant  from  you  by 
some  thousands  of  miles,  we  are  still  loyal  American  citi 
zens,  and  are  neither  unmindful  of  the  honor  of  our 
birth-place,  nor  indifferent  to  your  service  and  gallantry 
in  behalf  of  the  common  cause.  Our  hearts  were  stirred 
with  enthusiasm  when  we  read  here  of  the  promptness, 
with  which  our  native  state  offered  her  thoroughly  ap 
pointed  regiments  in  the  critical  hour,  for  the  protection 
of  the  capital.  They  swelled  with  sacred  pride  when  we 
followed  the  story  of  Rhode  Island's  fidelity  and  discipline 
-on  the  retreat  from  Manassas,  and  saw  Rhode  Island 
names  gleaming  brightly  through  the  mists  which  obscure 
that  page  in  the  annals  of  our  righteous  war.  We  pledge 
to  you  our  sympathy  and  confess  our  admiration,  and 
offer  our  gratitude  in  the  flag  and  standard  which  will 
accompany  this  letter.  They  are  the  cordial  gifts  of  the 
sons  of  Rhode  Island  resident  in  California. 

"  The  Stars  and  Stripes  are  our  colors  and  emblems  by 
the  Pacific,  and  will  be  while  her  surf  beats  against  the 
cliffs  of  the  Golden  Gate.  The  anchor  is  the  emblem  of 
our  firm  devotion  to  the  cause  for  which  you  have  perilled 
your  lives,  and  are  ready  still  to  devote  your  treasure  and 
blood.  We  know  that  you  will  accept  them  with  a  full 
response  to  the  spirit  in  which  they  are  offered.  Think 
of  the  breadth  and  majesty  of  the  country  for  which  you 
have  unsheathed  your  swords,  when  you  receive  these 
colors.  If  you  take  them  into  battle,  make  a  new  vow 


52  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Aug., 

under  them  to  the  Constitution,  which  diffuses  blessings 
from  the  coasts  of  New  England  to  the  shores  of  Oregon. 
Pledge  yourselves  more  deeply  against  the  treason  that 
would  destroy  it.  And  may  the  God  of  justice  and  of 
battles  help  and  protect  you  in  our  common  struggle  for 
Order,  Liberty,  and  Law." 

This  address  was  signed  by  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  gentlemen.  The  colors  were  the  national  ensign 
and  the  state  flag,  were  made  of  rich  silk,  and  were 
mounted  upon  heavy  staves.  They  were  unsuitable,  on 
account  of  their  weight,  to  be  carried  into  action,  but,  as 
a  testimonial  of  the  good  will  of  those  who  gave  them, 
were  gratefully  received  by  the  state.  They  were  care 
fully  kept,  until  the  formation  of  the  Second  Rhode 
Island  Veteran  Association,  when,  by  vote  of  the  General 
Assembly,  they  were  placed  in  the  custody  of  the  Associa 
tion. 

On  the  23rd  Quartermaster-Sergeant  H.  C.  Jencks, 
who  had  been  taken  prisoner  at  Bull  Run,  appeared  in 
camp,  to  the  surprise  and  joy  of  his  comrades.  After 
having  been  carried  from  Manassas,  he,  with  a  compan 
ion  from  some  Western  regiment,  succeeded  in  eluding 
the  vigilance  of  his  guard,  and  got  safely  away.  The 
two  comrades  in  misfortune  had  many  hair-breadth  es 
capes,  travelling  by  night,  concealing  themselves  by  day, 
finding  aid  in  unexpected  quarters,  and  procuring  food 
and  shelter  as  best  they  could.  The  colored  people,  in 
the  beginning,  as  throughout  the  war,  were  especially 
friendly,  and  guided  the  fugitives  through  unfrequented 
paths.  Passing  around  the  enemy's  army,  they  crossed 
the  Potomac,  and  Sergeant  Jencks  gladly  found  his  way 
to  Brightwood.  This  successful  exploit  secured  his  pro 
motion,  and  he  was  appointed  second  lieutenant,  his 


1861.]  (    \MP   BRIOHTWOOD.  53 

-commission  dating  from  the  7th.  "He  receives  this 
appointment,"  said  the  order,  "on  account  of  his  general 
good  conduct  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  but  more 
especially  for  his  energy  and  courage  displayed  in  making 
his  escape  from  the  prisons  of  Manassas."  Lieutenant 
Jencks  was  assigned  to  duty,  in  place  of  Lieutenant  Cook 
of  I,  who  had  been  appointed  first  lieutenant,  16th  In 
fantry,  United  States  army,  August  5th.  Thomas  T. 
Burke  of  A  was  appointed  quartermaster-sergeant. 

The  autumn  of  1861  was  not  marked  by  any  stirring 
events  in  and  about  Washington.  It  soon  became  clear 
that  General  McClellan  had  no  intention  of  moving  his 
command,  until  he  had  thoroughly  completed  its  organi 
zation.  Work  was  continued  upon  the  line  of  earth 
works  which  surrounded  the  city,  until  their  completion 
made  for  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  a  fortified  camp. 
The  enemy,  in  turn,  fortified  Fairfax  Court  House  and 
Centreville,  and  strengthened  his  works  at  Manassas 
Junction.  But  the  cannon  were  silent.  The  fort  at 
Brightwood  was  finished  late  in  September,  and,  upon 
the  urgent  solicitation  of  the  officers  of  the  Second, 
received  the  name  of  Slocum.  Mild,  clear  weather  pre 
vailed  through  the  entire  season.  On  the  south  side  of 
the  Potomac  occasional  reconnoissances  were  made,  and 
a  few  skirmishes  took  place.  On  the  north  side  there 
was  an  alarm  now  and  then,  as  some  movement  was  an 
ticipated.  The  troops  were  exercised  in  the  daily  drill, 
and  picket  duty  was  steadily  performed.  But  the  time 
\\as  one  of  remarkable  quiet.  Colonel  Wheaton  was 
desirous  of  keeping  the  Regiment  well  on  the  road  of 
constant  improvement.  Its  reputation  was  now  well 
established,  and  its  encampment  was  a  model  of  neatness 
and  good  order. 

C'amp   Brightwood   became   a  centre  of   interest  and 


54  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.       [Sept., 

attraction.  To  Rhode  Island  men,  of  course,  it  was  an 
object  of  special  pride.  On  the  4th  of  September  Bishop 
Clark  and  other  gentlemen  visited  the  camp,  gave  a  din 
ner  to  the  officers,  and  made  complimentary  speeches. 
On  the  8th  the  bishop  preached,  Chaplain  Jameson 
assisting  in  the  preliminary  services.  On  the  same  day 
Rev.  Doctor  H.  W.  Bellows,  president  of  the  Sanitary 
Commission,  and  other  officers  of  the  commission,  made 
an  official  visit,  and  addressed  the  Regiment,  speaking  in 
high  terms  of  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  camp.  On 
the  12th  the  governor  went  out  and  briefly  addressed  the 
men.  On  the  22nd  Dr.  Harris,  who  had  been  released 
on  parole,  was  in  camp,  and  was  warmly  welcomed  by  all, 
in  well-deserved  recognition  of  his  self-devotion.  Scarce 
ly  a  day  passed  without  a  visit  from  some  Rhode  Island 
friend,  and  every  report  which  was  made  had  words  of 
cordial  appreciation  of  the  soldierly  bearing  and  the  fine 
appearance  of  the  Regiment  and  its  belongings.  Among 
the  visitors,  too,  were  General  and  Mrs.  Burnside,  who 
were  received  with  every  demonstration  of  enthusiasm, 
and  who  expressed  great  satisfaction  with  the  excellent 
discipline  and  condition  of  the  command. 

During  the  time  in  which  the  Regiment  lay  in  camp  at 
Brightwood,  changes  in  its  constitution  occurred,  of 
greater  or  less  importance.  The  rank  of  Colonel  Wheaton 
was  fixed,  by  general  orders,  October  6th,  as  third  in  the 
brigade,  after  the  commanding  officer.  The  good  repute 
of  the  Regiment  attracted  recruits,  and  the  losses  made 
by  battle  and  disease  were  easily  supplied.  Notwithstand 
ing  the  raising  of  other  regiments,  the  Second  received 
its  full  share  of  additions.  Lieutenant  Shaw  brought 
on  sixty-nine  recruits,  and  Captain  Wright  was  sent  to 
Rhode  Island  to  continue  the  work.  But  there  were 
drafts  upon  the  Regiment,  as  well  as  additions  to  its 


1861.]  CAMP   BRIGHTWOOD.  55 

ranks.  On  the  25th  Captain  Rodman  of  E  resigned,  to 
take  the  lieutenant-colonelcy  of  the  Fourth  Rhode  Island, 
to  which  he  had  been  promoted  by  the  governor,  on  the 
19th.  Colonel  Wheaton,  in  special  order,  on  the  26th, 
gave  a  kind  expression  of  his  regard.  "The  colonel 
commanding/'  he  said,  "regrets  exceedingly  to  lose  the 
valuable  services  of  Captain  Rodman,  but  desires  to  con 
gratulate  him  upon  the  well-merited  promotion  his  Excel 
lency  Governor  Sprague  has  seen  fit  to  confer,  and  to  state 
that  he  bears  with  him  the  best  wishes  of  the  whole  Regi 
ment,  which  counts  with  confidence  upon  his  entire  suc 
cess  in  the  new  sphere  of  action,  to  which  he  has  been 
called.''  Captain  Rodman's  subsequent  career  was  es 
pecially  honorable  to  himself  and  gratifying  to  the  Regi 
ment  in  which  he  had  held  his  first  command.  He  was 
promoted  to  colonel  of  the  Fourth,  October  30th,  and 
was  assigned,  with  his  command,  to  the  Bumside  expe 
dition  to  North  Carolina,  which  sailed  from  Annapolis, 
January  5th-8th,  1862.  He  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Roanoke  Island,  February  8th,  and  won  great  distinction 
by  a  successful  charge  at  the  battle  of  Xewbern,  on  the 
14th  of  March.  He  occupied  Fort  Macon,  April  26th,  and 
on  the  28th  of  the  same  month  was  promoted  to  brigadier- 
general  —  little  more  than  ten  months  after  he  had  en 
tered  the  service  as  captain.  Soon  after  the  organization 
of  the  9th  Corps,  in  July,  1862,  he  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  3rd  division,  and  fell  mortally  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Antietam,  September  17th,  while  gallantly 
loading  his  command  in  an  advanced  position,  leaving  a 
record  of  bravery  and  fidelity,  of  which  his  state  is  justly 
proud.*  Captain  Wright  was  promoted  to  major  of  the 

*For  a  full  account  of  General  Rodman's  services,  see  "Burnside  and  the 
Ninth  Army  Corps." 


56  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Nov., 

first  battalion  of  the  Fifth  Rhode  Island,  November  7th, 
iind  also  served  in  North  Carolina  with  Colonel  Rodman, 
taking  an  active  part  in  the  battles  of  Roanoke  Island, 
Newbern,  and  Fort  Macon.  Major  Wright  resigned, 
July  25th,  1862.  Lieutenant  Duffy  was  appointed  first 
lieutenant,  13th  Infantry,  United  States  army,  August 
-5th — as  a  reward  for  his  gallantry  at  Bull  Run — and 
-accepted  the  appointment,  November  26th.  Lieutenant 
Duffy  earned,  during  the  war,  promotion  to  captain  and 
the  brevets  of  major  and  lieutenant-colonel,  for  gallant 
and  meritorious  service  in  Tennessee.  He  resigned,  Jan 
uary  13,  1871.  Captain  G.  W.  Weeden  resigned,  October 
1st,  and  was  appointed  acting  master  in  the  navy  of  the 
United  States.*  Second  Lieutenant  Cook  of  I  resigned, 
to  accept  an  appointment  as  first  lieutenant,  16th  In 
fantry,  United  States  army,  August  5th.  Thus  was  the 
Regiment  drawn  from,  to  supply  the  needs  of  other 
branches  of  the  service.  During  the  month  of  October, 
•on  the  llth,  First  Lieutenant  Arnold,  and,  on  the  18th, 
Captain  E.  H.  Sears,  resigned,  to  be  appointed,  on  the 
19th,  first  lieutenant  in  the  artillery  regiment. 

November  and  December  were  as  quiet  as  the  preceding 
months.  Under  the  guns  and  within  the  lines  of  the 
•earthworks,  the  army  lay  inactive.  An  equal  inactivity 
prevailed  within  the  opposing  lines.  Foraging  parties, 
on  both  sides,  occasionally  came  in  contact  with  each 
other.  But  there  was  no  disposition  on  the  part  of  either 
•commander  to  venture  on  a  general  engagement.  Higher 
up  the  river,  at  Edwards's  Ferry  and  Ball's  Bluff,  there 
Imd  been,  on  the  21st  of  October,  a  very  bloody  affair  of 


*Captain  Weeden  resigned  in  the  navy,  August  5th,  1862.  and  wae  appointed 
second  lieutenant,  llth  United  States  Colored  Heavy  Artillery,  November  7th» 


1861.]  «  AMI-  itiiniimvooD.  57 

brief  duration,  in  which  a  few  of  our  regiments  —  es 
pecially  the  15th  Massachusetts  —  suffered  severely.  But, 
in  general,  the  daily  bulletin  was,  "All  quiet  on  the  Po 
tomac. v  The  army  gradually  settled  down  into  winter 
<|uarters.  On  the  1st  of  November  General  Scott  was 
relieved,  and  General  McC'lellan  was  appointed  to  the 
chief  command  of  all  the  armies  of  the  United  States. 
On  the  9th  General  Buell  Avas  relieved  of  the  command  of 
the  division,  and,  on  the  10th,  General  E.  I).  Keyes  as 
sumed  command.  On  the  loth  of  December  Colonel 
\Yheaton  issued  an  order,  directing  the  men  to  build 
huts,  and  they  soon  made  themselves  comfortable  in  their 
extemporized  dwellings.  Christmas  day  was  observed 
with  abundant  good  cheer,  aided  by  generous  gifts  from 
home,  and  thus  was  ended  the  year  1861. 

To  complete  the  record  of  the  year  it  is  necessary  to 
retrace  our  steps.  The  battery  of  artillery,  which  was 
mustered  as  a  part  of  the  Regiment,  was  not  destined  to 
remain  with  it  long  after  its  first  battle.  On  the  28th  of 
July  it  was  ordered  away  from  the  vicinity  of  Washing 
ton,  and  proceeded  to  Sandy  Hook,  Maryland,  where  the 
First  Battery  was  then  stationed.  Here  Captain  Rey 
nolds  received  from  Captain  Tompkins  his  guns  and 
equipments.  The  war  department  decided  to  authorize 
a  battalion  of  light  artillery  in  Rhode  Island,  and  of  this 
Captain  Tompkins  was  appointed  major,  August  1st. 
In  September  the  battalion  was  raised  to  a  full  regiment, 
and,  on  the  13th,  Major  Tompkins  was  promoted  to  col 
onel.  On  the  same  day  Captain  Reynolds  was  appointed 
lieutenant-colonel,  and  the  connection  of  the  artillery 
with  the  Second  Regiment  was  effectually  severed.  In 
the  new  regiment  the  members  of  the  battery  at  different 
times  found  positions,  to  which  their  bravery  had  well 
entitled  them.  First  Lieutenant  Vaughan  became  cap- 


58  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Doc., 

tain  of  Battery  B,  but  resigned,  December  llth;  First 
Lieutenant  Monroe  became  successively  captain  of  Bat 
tery  D,  major,  and  lieutenant-colonel;  Second  Lieutenant 
Tompkins  became  captain  and  major;  Second  Lieuten 
ant   Weeden   became   captain   of   Battery  C;  Sergeant  - 
Major  Randolph  became  second  and  first  lieutenant  of  C 
and  captain  of  E;  Sergeant  Henry  Newton  became  second 
lieutenant;  Sergeant  A.  E.  Adams  became  second  lieu 
tenant  of  F  and  first  lieutenant  of  D;  Sergeant  Charles 
D.  Owen  became  first  lieutenant  and  captain  of  G;  Ser- 
.geant  Francis  A.  Smith  became  second  lieutenant  of  B; 
•Corporal   Charles   H.    Clark   became   second    and    first 
lieutenant  of   C;   Corporal  G.  Lymau   D  wight  became 
second  lieutenant  of  B  and  first  lieutenant  of  A;  Corporal 
William   A.  Sabin  became  second  and  first  lieutenant, 
'Third  Rhode  Island;   Corporal  H.  Vincent  Butler  was 
discharged,  to  accept   an   appointment   in   the   United 
States   navy;   Corporal   H.  C.    Gushing   was   appointed 
•second  lieutenant,  4th  Artillery,  United  States  army,  and 
>eamed  promotion  and  brevets  of  first  lieutenant,  captain, 
-and  major;  Corporal  G.  W.  Field  became  first  lieutenant 
of  F,  resigned,  October  26th,  was  appointed  second  lieu 
tenant,  Fourth  Rhode  Island,  February  5th,  18G3;  Cor 
poral  T.  Frederic  Brown  became  second  lieutenant  of  C 
•and  first  lieutenant  and  captain  of  B,  winning  brevets  of 
major  and  lieutenant-colonel;  Artificer  James  P.  Rhodes 
became  second  lieutenant  of  A;  private  Willard  B.  Pierre 
became   sergeant   and   second  lieutenant  of   B;   private 
Thomas  W.  Sayles  became  sergeant  of  H  and  first   lieu 
tenant  and  captain.  Third  Rhode  Island  Cavalry;  private 
•George  Messinger  became  sergeant  of  II;  private  Charles 
V.  Scott  became  corporal,  sergeant,  and  second  lieutenant 
of  G;  private  Amos  C.  Weeden  became  sergeant  of  C  and 
jsecond  lieutenant  and  captain,  Sixth  Rhode  Island.     The 


1861.]  CAMP    BRIGHTWOOD.  59 

battery  was  a  nursery  for  officers,  who,  on  many  a  field, 
proved  the  thoroughness  and  efficiency  of  the  training 
they  had  received.  It  certainly  is  a  very  creditable 
record  which  the  officers  and  men  thus  made  for  them 
selves. 

It  is  hardly  within  the  province  of  this  narrative  to 
trace  the  career  of  the  battery  subsequent  to  its  separa 
tion  from  the  Regiment.  It  is  sufficient  to  say,  that  it 
participated  in  all  the  important  battles  in  which  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  was  engaged  —  from  the  Peninsu 
lar  campaign  to  the  last  battle  of  the  war.  Mustered 
out,  June  18th,  1864,  it  was  immediately  reorganized  by 
Lieutenant  Dwight,  and  did  effective  service  until  Sep 
tember  30th,  when  it  was  consolidated  with  Battery  B. 
Its  history  was  marked  with  brilliant  deeds,  and  the  re 
nown,  which  it  gained  for  itself  and  the  state,  has  given 
its  men  and  officers  a  high  place  in  the  regard  of  all  who 
know  how  to  appreciate  the  faithful  performance  of 
patriotic  duty. 

It  remains  now  to  note  the  promotions  which  were 
made  in  the  Regiment  during  the  latter  part  of  the  period 
covered  by  this  chapter:  First  Lieutenant  Young  of 
Company  B  to  captain  of  the  same  company,  November 
12th;  First  Lieutenant  Stanley  of  C  to  captain  of  E, 
October  25th;  Second  Lieutenant  Ames  of  C  to  first 
lieutenant  of  D,  October  25th;  First  Lieutenant  Sherman 
of  E  to  captain  of  K,  November  28th;  Second  Lieuten 
ant  Church  of  E  to  first  lieutenant  of  H,  September 
28th;  First  Lieutenant  W.  B.  Sears  of  F  to  captain  of 
the  same,  October  28th;  Second  Lieutenant  Ellis  of  F  to 
first  lieutenant  of  the  same,  November  1st;  Second  Lieu 
tenant  Russell  of  G  to  first  lieutenant  of  C,  October  28th; 
Second  Lieutenant  Foy  of  H  to  first  lieutenant  of  A, 
October  llth;  First  Lieutenant  S.  H.  Brown  of  I  to  cap- 


'60  SECOND   KHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Dec., 

tain  of  D,  September  28th;  Second  Lieutenant  W.  G. 
Turner  of  K  to  first  lieutenant  of  E,  November  28th. 
Thomas  H.  Carr  was  appointed  second  lieutenant,  Novem 
ber  7th,  and  assigned  to  E.  Captain  C.  W.  Turner 
of  K  resigned,  November  28th,  and  Second  Lieutenant 
Manchester  of  G,  December  llth. 

Assistant  Hospital  Steward  Wheaton  was  promoted  to 
second  lieutenant  of  F,  September  28th;  Sergeant-Major 
Capron  to  second  lieutenant  of  D,  October  llth,  and 
•detailed  as  signal  officer,  December  27th;  Sergeant  B.  B. 
Manchester  of  B  to  second  lieutenant  of  the  same,  October 
25th;  Sergeant  Nicholas  Underwood  of  C  to  second  lieu 
tenant  of  H,  November  1st;  Sergeant  Lawless  of  C  to 
second  lieutenant  of  the  same,  December  18th;  Sergeant 
S.  J.  English  to  second  lieutenant  of  G,  November  13th; 
Sergeant  J.  G.  Beveridge  of  II  to  second  lieutenant  of  K, 
December  llth;  Sergeant  J.  R.  Waterhouse  to  second 
lieutenant  of  I,  October  28th.  Private  George  Clenden- 
nin,  Jr.,  of  F,  was  appointed  sergeant-major,  November 
4th.  The  following  promotions  are  recorded  among  the 
rank  and  file:  September  1st,  private  John  Brayshaw 
(I)  to  corporal,  vice  W.  H.  Greene,  discharged;  Septem 
ber  23rd,  privates  John  H.  Phillips  (F)  and  Samuel  F.. 
Hull  (D)  to  corporal,  the  former  vice  P.  T.  Taylor,  dis 
charged,  August  20th,  the  latter  vice  Ferguson,  dis 
charged,  September  17th;  September  25th,  private  J.  D. 
Ben  ton  to  orderly-sergeant  (K),  vice  Gifford,  resigned; 
October  llth,  private  John  C.  Hall  (F)  to  corporal,  vice 
Hay;  12th,  Corporal  Phillips  (B)  to  sergeant,  vice  Rogers, 
resigned;  November  1st,  privates  Richard  Greene,  Wil 
liam  Green,  Lawrence  Kelley,  and  Edward  Logan,  of  B, 
to  corporal;  November  4th,  Sergeants  Knight  (B),  Hyer 
(C),  and  Chappell  (I),  to  orderly;  Corporals  Cahoone 
(B),  Prentiss  (C),  and  Perkins  (I),  to  sergeant;  privates 


1861.]  CAMP   BRIGHTWOOD.  61 

John  C.  Leavitt  (B),  Andrew  McLaughlin  (C),  William 
H.  Perry  and  Hiram  Adams  (I),  to  corporal;  Corporal 
Rhodes  (D),  detached  to  assistant  adjutant-general's  office, 
at  division  headquarters;  14th,  private  L.  0.  Belden  (K) 
to  corporal,  vice  Wormwood;  private  L.  B.  Bosworth 
(G)  to  corporal,  vice  Pierce;  30th,  Corporal  Murphy 
(K)  to  sergeant,  and  privates  J.  J.  Hilton,  0.  H.  P. 
Howard,  and  Jaines  Taylor  (K),  to  corporal;  December 
27th,  private  G-.  H.  Simmons  (I)  detailed  as  signal  man 
— "a  position  highly  honorable,  and  one  of  merited  con 
fidence";  29th,  Corporal  Clarke  (F)  to  sergeant,  vice 
Douglass,  discharged;  privates  William  H.  Frazier  to 
corporal,  vice  Clarke,  promoted,  and  Thomas  O'Neill  to- 
corporal,  vice  Bennett. 


62  SECOND   KHODE  ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.        [Feb., 


CHAPTER    IV. 
BREAKING  CAMP. 


S  the  spring  of  1862  approached,  indications  of  ac- 
fjV'tivity  began  to  appear.  The  country,  which  had 
settled  down  in  quiet  after  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
again  showed  signs  of  impatience.  A  magnificent  army 
had  been  gathered  and  organized  in  and  around  Washing 
ton.  Burnside  had  got  oif  on  the  5th  of  January,  and,  on 
the  8th  of  February,  landed  on  Roanoke  Island  and  won  a 
brilliant  victory  —  threatening  the  North  Carolina  coast 
and  Norfolk.  The  president  issued  an  order,  directing 
General  McClellan  to  march  against  the  enemy  intrenched 
at  Centreville  and  Manassas.  The  movement  was  to 
have  been  made  on  the  22nd  of  February.  But  there 
were  unavoidable  delays.  The  roads  were  bad,  and 
McClellan  was  not  ready  for  aggressive  operations.  The 
order  was  rescinded,  and  the  army  resumed  its  usual 
quiet. 

Friends  at  home,  expecting  the  Regiment  to  move, 
had  prepared  an  appropriate  gift.  Some  citizens  of 
Woonsocket  procured  and  sent  on  two  guidons,  which 
were  presented  to  the  Regiment  through  Captain  Brown 
of  Company  D.  Colonel  Wheaton's  letter  to  Captain 
Brown,  acknowledging  the  gift,  dated  January  30th, 


1862.]  HKEAKIXG    CAMP.  63 

expressed,  in  warm  terms,  his  appreciation  of  the  kind 
ness  which  had  thus  been  manifested.  "The  guidons," 
says  the  Colonel,  "are  the  most  perfect  and  elegant  ones 
I  ever  saw.  The  workmanship  and  finish  of  both  staves 
and  flags  do  high  credit  to  the  taste  of  our  friends  who 
sent  them.  But,  aside  from  the  beauty,  value,  and  use 
fulness  of  the  present,  we  are  both  grateful  and  proud  of 
this  thoughtful  remembrance  from  the  patriotic  town  of 
Woonsocket,  which  has  sent  nearly  six  hundred  of  her 
gallant  sons,  to  do  battle  for  her  principles  and  Ehode 
Island  honor,  in  this  grand  struggle  for  the  preservation 
of  our  union,  its  constitution,  and  its  flag." 

In  the  camp  at  Brightwood  the  22nd  of  February 
came,  not  as  a  day  for  movement,  but  rather  for  jollity. 
Washington's  birthday  was  celebrated  with  unusual  spirit. 
At  headquarters  Colonel  and  Mrs.  When  ton  received  and 
entertained  a  throng  of  visitors  with  a  generous  hos 
pitality.  At  12  o'clock,  meridian,  the  guns  on  Fort 
Slocum  fired  their  first  salute.  Afterwards,  the  Regiment 
was  assembled,  Chaplain  Jameson,  by  order  from  the 
headquarters  of  the  army,  read  portions  of  Washington's 
farewell  address,  and  Hon.  William  P.  Sheffield  —  repre 
sentative  in  Congress  from  Rhode  Island  —  made  a  patri 
otic  address.  At  different  times  in  the  day  there  were 
target-shooting,  foot-races,  sack-races,  and  other  means 
of  enjoyment.  Corporal  Sweet  swung  a  tight-rope,  and 
went  through  various  and  bewildering  evolutions  upon  it, 
with  a  wheelbarrow  and  camp  stove.  In  the  evening  the 
camp  was  illuminated. 

But  such  days  of  quiet  and  enjoyment  were  numbered. 
Across  the  river,  and  out  at  Centreville,  the  enemy's 
army  was  busy  in  removing  stores  and  guns  to  the  rear. 
General  Johnston,  who  had  succeeded  Beauregard  in 
command  at  Manassas,  probably  anticipating  a  forward 


64  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.    [March,. 

movement  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  decided  to  with 
draw  behind  the  Rappahannock.  On  the  8th  of  March 
he  evacuated  his  line  of  intrenchments,  leaving  nothing 
behind  hut  a  few  "Quaker  guns"  and  the  debris  of  an 
abandoned  cam}).  A  few  days  after,  he  retired  beyond 
the  Rapidan,  General  McClellan  sent  two  regiments  of 
cavalry  to  reconnoitre  at  Manassas,  and  moved  out  from 
their  camps  one  or  two  corps,  which  struggled  out 
toward  Centreville,  and  back  to  Alexandria,  through  the 
mud,  with  no  results  worthy  of  mention.  But  McClel- 
lan's  plan  of  campaign  contemplated  larger  and  more 
extensive  operations.  The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  to 
attack  Richmond  by  way  of  the  peninsula  between  the 
York  and  James  rivers.  Movements  up  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  by  General  Banks,  and  upon  Fredericksburg  by 
General  McDowell,  were  to  be  made,  while  the  main  body 
was  to  proceed  by  water,  reduce  Yorktown,  and  press 
upon  Richmond  by  land.  How  lamentably  the  operation 
failed  is  well  known.  There  seemed  to  be  divided  coun 
sels  between  the  civil  and  military  authorities;  a  fatal 
indecision  and  hesitancy,  at  the  moment  when  prompt 
and  decisive  action  was  required  on  the  part  of  the  com 
manding  general;  a  most  unfavorable  season  for  aggres 
sive  military  movements,  and  an  apparent  misunderstand 
ing  of  the  enemy's  force  and  means  of  defence.  The 
combination  was  too  strong  for  a  man  of  McClellan's 
abilities,  and  the  event  was  a  disastrous  and  disgraceful 
repulse.  The  summer  of  1862  will  long  be  remembered 
by  all,  who  were  obliged  to  endure  the  hardships  and 
losses  of  the  Peninsular  campaign.  Yet,  to  the  credit  of 
the  soldiers  engaged,  it  will  always  be  recorded,  that 
they  bore  all  with  a  heroism  that  could  never  be  fairly 
overcome,  a  patience  that  was  never  exhausted,  and  a 
hope  that  was  never  quenched. 


18G2.]  BREAKING    CAMI>.  65 

For  the  better  accomplishment  of  General  McClellaivs 
doigns,  it  was  thought  best  to  organize  the  army  by 
dividing  it  into  corps.  On  the  8th  of  March  President 
Lincoln  issued  his  order,  forming  five  corps.  On  the 
13th  McClellan  issued  a  corresponding  order.  General 
Keyes  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Fourth  Corps. 
General  Couch  was  promoted  to  the  command  of  a 
division.  This  left  the  brigade  to  which  the  Second  was 
attached  to  be  commanded,  for  a  time,  by  the  senior  col 
onel.  At  a  later  date  —  namely,  on  the  loth  of  April  — 
Colonel  Charles  Devens,  Jr.,  of  the  15th  Massachusetts, 
was  promoted  to  brigadier-general,  and,  not  long  after 
wards,  he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  brigade, 
(icneral  Devens  was  an  excellent  soldier,  and  a  gallant 
and  true  gentleman,  and  the  friendly  relations  which 
were  thus  formed  between  himself  and  the  officers  and 
men  of  the  Second  became  the  basis  for  a  mutual  confi 
dence  and  esteem,  which  continued  through  and  beyond 
the  entire  term  of  service. 

Before  proceeding  to  a  narration  of  the  experience  of 
the  Regiment  on  the  Peninsula,  it  is  necessary  to  com 
plete  the  stoiy  of  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  as  regards  the 
train  of  subsequent  events,  in  which  the  Regiment  had  a 
remarkable  and  tender,  though  very  painful,  interest. 
As  has  already  been  related,  Colonel  Slocum  and  Major 
Ballon  had  died,  a  day  or  two  after  the  battle,  in  the 
hospital,  and  Captain  Tower,  and  Lieutenant  Prescott  of 
the  First,  had  been  shot  dead  on  the  field.  The  bodies 
of  these  officers  had  been  buried  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  scene  of  battle.  To  recover  these  and  give  them 
proper  interment  at  home  had  been  a  cherished  object, 
both  of  the  people  and  the  authorities  of  the  state.  The 
evacuation  of  Manassas  by  the  rebel  forces  furnished  the 
opportunity  of  finding  the  remains,  and  giving  to  them 


66  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.    [  March  r 

their  proper  resting-place.  As  soon  as  the  ground  was 
cleared  of  the  enemy,  preparations  were  begun  for  visit 
ing  the  field  and  obtaining  the  bodies.  Arrangements 
were  made  by  two  parties  —  one  to  procure  the  bodies  of 
the  officers  of  the  Second,  the  other  to  find  and  bring 
back  the  body  of  Lieutenant  Prescott.  By  some  misun 
derstanding  in  regard  to  the  time  of  starting,  only  the 
former  succeeded  in  accomplishing  its  object.  The  latter 
was  left  in  Washington,  and  Prescott's  dust  still  sleeps  in 
an  unknown  grave. 

The  party  that  went  to  the  battlefield  consisted  of" 
Governor  Sprague,  Colonel  Olney  Arnold,  aide  to  the 
governor,  Messrs.  Josiah  W.  Richardson,  Tristam  Bur- 
ges,  and  Walter  H.  Coleman,  private  John  Clark  of  the 
Second,  and  an  escort  of  one  troop  of  cavalry,  commanded 
by  Captain  Gould  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry, 
accompanied  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles,  Major  An 
thony,  Chaplain  Frederic  Denison,  and  Surgeon  Greely, 
of  the  same  regiment.  Two  or  three  wagons,  with 
suitable  burial-cases,  were  taken  with  the  company,  for 
purposes  of  transportation.  The  party  left  Washington 
on  the  19th  of  March.  The  roads  were  bad,  and  the  first 
night  was  spent  at  Fairfax  Court  House.  The  next  day 
was  spent  in  getting  to  Centreville,  and  examining  the 
ground  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cub  Run,  with  the  hope 
of  finding  some  trace  of  the  body  of  Captain  Smith. 
Spending  the  night  within  the  lines  of  the  abandoned 
rebel  intrench ments,  the  company,  with  the  escort,  pro 
ceeded,  on  the  21st,  to  Sudley  Ford,  Sudley  Church,  and 
the  field  of  battle.  Mr.  Richardson,  who  was  a  private 
in  the  First  Rhode  Island  on  the  day  of  the  bat 
tle,  and  had  remained  at  the  church  hospital  after  the 
fight  —  thus  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  —  had 
performed  the  sad  duty  of  caring  for  Colonel  Slocum  and 


1862.]  BREAKING    CAMP.  07 

Major  Ballon  during  their  last  moments,  and  had  assisted 
iu  burying  their  remains.  The  place  was  fresh  in  his 
recollection,  and  was  soon  found  and  pointed  out  by  him. 
The  work  of  exhumation  was  immediately  begun. 

The  process  of  disinterment  revealed  the  sad  and  terri 
ble  fact,  that  the  corpses  of  the  dead  had  been  treated 
with  a  rude  malignity,  which  it  is  difficult,  at  the  present 
time,  to  comprehend.  Major  Ballou's  body  had  been 
mistaken  for  Colonel  Slocum's,  and,  according  to  the 
statement  of  a  negro  girl  upon  the  spot,  had  been  taken 
up  by  some  soldiers  of  the  21st  Georgia  Infantry,  and 
burned.  The  place  where  this  outrage  was  committed 
was  indicated,  and  there  ashes,  bones,  and  fragments  of 
clothing  were  found,  to  confirm  the  woman's  story.  A 
shirt  and  blanket,  identified  as  belonging  to  Major  Bal 
lon  by  Mr.  Richardson,  were  found  in  a  brook,  at  a 
short  distance  from  the  spot.  The  sacred  relics  were 
carefully  gathered  and  laid  in  the  coffin,  which  had  been 
provided  for  the  purpose.  Colonel  Slocum's  body  was 
found  unmutilated,  and  immediately  upon  being  uncov 
ered,  was  recognized  by  the  friends  who  stood  sorrowfully 
around  the  grave.  By  this  time  the  day  was  waning,  and 
but  little  more  could  be  done  than  to  place  the  body  of 
Slocum  in  its  burial-case,  and  to  find  the  grave  where 
Captain  Tower's  body  had  been  interred.  It  was  on  the 
field  itself,  near  the  Mathews  house,  to  which  allusion 
has  already  been  made,  as  having  been  used  for  a  tem 
porary  hospital.  A  drenching  rain  fell  during  the  night, 
but  sufficient  shelter  was  found  for  men  and  horses. 

Early  the  next  morning  work  was  resumed,  and,  after 
considerable  difficulty,  on  account  of  the  state  of  the 
ground,  the  burial-trench  was  opened.  The  dead  were 
found  buried  with  their  faces  downward.  Captain  Tow 
er's  body  was  identified  by  Colonel  Arnold,  and  was 


68  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.    [March  r 

cared  for  as  the  others  had  been.  As  none  of  those  who- 
were  present  knew  where  Lieutenant  Prescott's  body  had 
been  buried,  and  as  it  was  not  found  in  the  trench  with 
the  rest,  no  further  search  was  made.  All  that  was  pos 
sible  having  thus  been  accomplished,  the  party  of  friends 
and  their  escort  retraced  their  steps.  The  remains  of  the- 
three  brave  soldiers  were  carried  to  AVashington,  and, 
upon  their  arrival,  on  the  23rd,  were  taken  to  Camp 
Brightwood,  under  charge  of  Lieutenant  Russell  and  six 
privates.  At  dress-parade  the  governor's  order  was  read, 
giving  an  account  of  the  sad  journey.  In  the  course  of 
a  few  days,  under  escort  of  Lieu  tenant- Colon  el  Shviv 
and  a  guard,  consisting  of  Sergeants  Morgan  and  Hub- 
bard,  and  Corporals  Brayshaw,  Kelley,  Carter,  Cole, 
Cahoone,  Bentley,  Maker,  and  Holland,  the  bodies  were 
despatched  to  Rhode  Island.  Upon  their  passage  through 
Baltimore  and  Philadelphia,  they  were  received  with 
honor,  and  treated  with  every  manifestation  of  respect. 
Upon  their  arrival  at  New  York,  on  the  28th,  they  were 
carried  to  the  Astor  House,  and,  as  previously  arranged, 
lay  in  state  until  the  afternoon  of  the  29th.  Company 
A,  71st  New  York  Militia,  performed  guard  duty.  The 
flags  were  at  half-mast  throughout  the  city,  and  the 
Astor  House  was  visited  by  throngs  of  interested  citizens. 
Escorted  by  the  37th  and  71st  regiments  of  New  York 
Militia,  the  bodies  were  taken  to  the  Stonington  steam 
boat,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  29th,  and  were  thus  con 
veyed  to  Rhode  Island.  They  arrived  at  Providence  on 
the  morning  of  the  30th,  and  were  immediately  taken  to 
the  armory  of  the  First  Light  Infantry,  where  they  were 
visited  during  the  day  by  thousands  of  people. 

On  the  31st  solemn  and  impressive  ceremonies  were 
performed  in  Providence,  as  the  remains  were  committed 
to  the  tomb.  A  procession  was  formed,  consisting  of  the 


1862.]  BREAKING   CAMP.  <>'.' 

Providence  Horse  Guards,  the  Marine  Corps  of  Artillery, 
the  First  Regiment  National  Guards,  Providence  Artillery, 
Old  Guard,  Providence  Light  Infantry,  and  twenty  other 
militia  companies  from  different  parts  of  the  state.  The 
day  was  very  stormy,  but  the  military  appeared  in  full 
ranks,  and  multitudes  assembled  to  witness  the  obsequies. 
Flags,  draped  in  mourning,  hung  at  half-mast,  the  bells 
of  the  churches  were  tolled,  and  the  places  of  business 
were  closed.  Six  pall-bearers,  of  corresponding  rank  in 
the  militia  service,  were  assigned  to  each  body:  to  that 
of  Colonel  Slocum,  Colonels  N.  Van  Slyck,  G.  W.  Hallet, 
Peter  Simpson,  Jr.,  Olney  Arnold,  J.  D.  Earle,  B.  F. 
Remington,  Jr. ;  to  that  of  Major  Ballon,  Majors  A.  S- 
Gallup,  W.  W.  Pearce,  W.  Bodfisli,  W.  11.  Gorham,  J. 
P.  Arlin,  C.  N.  Harrington;  to  that  of  Captain  Tower, 
Captains  Robert  Manton,  E.  C.  Gallup,  John  E.  Crans 
ton,  N.  B.  Williams,  J.  E.  Boone,  and  Charles  Richard 
son.  The  procession  marched  through  the  principal 
streets  to  Grace  church  cemetery.  At  the  tomb  Bishop 
Clarke  read  the  burial  service  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
the  male  members  of  Grace  church  choir  chanted  appro 
priate  music,  and,  as  the  bodies  were  deposited  within, 
three  volleys  of  musketry  were  fired  by  troops  detailed 
for  the  purpose.  After  a  review  by  the  governor,  on  the- 
Dexter  Training  Ground,  the  military  were  dismissed, 
and  the  people  dispersed.*  Lieutenant-Colonel  Steere 
and  the  guard  of  honor  returned  to  the  Regiment. 

As  might  be  expected,  the  intelligence  of  the  manner 
in  which  our  dead  soldiers  were  treated  caused  an  intense 


*It  seems  proper  to  state,  in  this  connection,  that  commemorative  services 
were  performed  at  the  Congregational  church,  in  Pawtncket,  October  4th,  1861. 
The  Pawtucket  Light  Guard  and  Home  Guard  furnished  the  escort.  Rev.  Dr.. 
C.  Blodgett  and  Rev.  F.  Denison  offered  prayers,  and  Rev.  A.  Woodbury,  of" 
Providence,  delivered  an  address. 


70  SECOND    RHODE    ISLAM*    YOU' NTKKKS.    [March, 

excitement  of  popular  feeling,  throughout  the  loyal  states. 
An  investigation,  made  by  order  of  Congress,  revealed 
the  fact  that  these  malignant  outrages  were  inflicted,  with 
an  almost  merciless  hand,  upon  our  officers  and  soldiers, 
who  had  been  captured,  or  had  been  left  wounded  or  dead 
upon  the  field  of  battle.  Prisoners,  particularly  in  the 
southernmost  parts  of  the  insurgent  states,  at  a  distance 
from  the  central  authority,  were  subjected  to  great  indig 
nity;  the  wounded  were  maltreated,  the  dead,  as  at  Bull 
Run,  were  mutilated  —  their  bones  used  for  carving  trink 
ets  and  the  like  —  exposed,  and  burned.  It  would  appear 
incredible,  were  not  the  reports,  as  made  to  Congress, 
sustained  by  numerous  witnesses  and  unimpeachable  tes 
timony.  The  bare  recital  of  the  case  was  sufficient  to- 
arouse,  in  the  hearts  of  the  loyal  people  of  the  country, 
the  warmest  feelings  of  indignation  against  the  perpetra 
tors  of  deeds,  so  little  in  accord  with  the  demands  of 
humanity  and  the  spirit  of  a  Christian  age! 

The  Regiment  had  its  share  in  the  somewhat  vexatious- 
and  resultless  movements  consequent  upon  the  evacuation 
of  Manassas.  It  left  Camp  Brightwood  on  the  10th  of 
March,  crossed  the  Potomac,  marched  a  few  miles  in  to- 
Virginia,  and  remained  there  until  the  16th,  when  it 
returned  to  camp.  During  the  expedition  private  ( u-orge 
Wilcox  received  a  mortal  wound  from  the  accidental  ex 
plosion  of  a  shell.  For  the  next  ten  days  but  little  was 
done.  The  usual  orders  and  counter  orders,  preliminary 
to  a  movement,  were  issued,  when,  finally,  on  the  26th, 
at  4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  Regiment  marched  out 
of  Brightwood  for  the  last  time.  At  5  o'clock  in  the  eve 
ning  Colonel  Wheaton  embarked  his  command  on  board 
the  steamer  John  Brooks.  Three  companies  of  the  36th 
New  York  shared  with  the  Second  the  accommodations 
of  the  steamer,  which  were  described  as  being  "decidedly 


1862.]  BREAKING    CAMP.  71 

inferior  to  a  first-class  hotel."  During  the  night  the- 
boat  dropped  down  the  river,  and  came  to  anchor  about 
a  mile  below  Alexandria.  The  next  morning  dawned 
brightly,  with  the  men  in  excellent  spirits,  enlivened  by 
the  prospect  of  active  operations. 

Camp  Brightwood  had  become  home-like  to  them;  the- 
winter  had  passed  quickly  and  quietly;  Colonel  Wheaton 
had  been  particularly  careful  and  attentive  in  the  instruc 
tion  of  his  men,  in  the  improvement  of  their  morale  and 
discipline,  and  in  his  provision  for  their  comfort.     There- 
was  no  better  or  neater  camp  in  the  army.     But  this* 
quiet  life  had  become  somewhat  irksome,  and  the  move 
ment  against  the  enemy  was  regarded  as  a  welcome  inter 
ruption  to  a  somewhat  monotonous   experience.     The 
voyage  down  the  Potomac,  on  the  delightful  spring  day 
that  shone  around  them,  taking  them  through  unfamiliar 
scenes,  which  continually  attracted  observation  and  pro 
voked  comment,  accompanied  and  surrounded  by  vessels 
loaded  with  troops,  was  an  inspiriting  event  to  the  men, 
and  they  looked  forward  to  their  campaign  with  high 
courage  and  hope.     The  Regiment  disembarked  at  the 
landing  at  Fortress  Monroe,  early  on  the  morning  of  the- 
28th,  and,  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  marched  out  on 
the  Yorktown  road,  about  three  miles  beyond  Hampton, 
and  went,  supperless,  into  bivouac.     The  next  day  tents 
and  commissary  stores  arrived,  and,  notwithstanding  a 
heavy  rain  that  was  falling,  the  men  made  themselves 
comfortable  in  their  new  encampment.     Brigade  head 
quarters  were  fixed  near  Salter's  Creek.     The  camp  re 
ceived  the  name  of  W.  F.  Smith. 

The  Regiment  remained  in  this  camp  until  the  4th  of 
April,  with  a  prompt  resumption  of  drill  and  instruction, 
for  Colonel  Wheaton  allowed  no  time  to  be  lost.  Bright, 
sunny  weather  followed  the  rain  which  had  made  the  first 


72  SECOND    RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.       [April, 

day  comfortless,  and  the  time  sped  pleasantly  and  rapidly 
away.  Troops  were  constantly  passing,  over  a  hundred 
thousand  men  were  in  the  vicinity,  and  at  night  the 
camp  fires  presented  a  scene  of  indescribable  beauty. 
"The 'land  about  here  is  excellent,"  writes  one  of  the 
men  in  his  diary,  "and  I  am  informed"  (hear  the 
Yankee!)  "is  valued  at  a  hundred  dollars  an  acre.  The 
scenery  far  surpasses  that  of  Fairfax.  Majestic  oaks, 
noble  maples,  and  towering  pines,  interspersed  with  the 
prickly  holly,  covered  with  its  red  berries,  and  the  sweet- 
scented  sassafras  diffusing  its  aroma  around  us,  while 
occasionally  we  passed  a  cherry  and  peach  tree  in  full 
blossom,  rendered  a  morning  walk  quite  pleasant."  Thus 
auspiciously  opened  the  Peninsular  campaign. 


18<V>.]  THE    I'KMN'St'LA.  73 


CHAPTER   V 

THE    PENINSULA. 


eX  the  4th  of  April  the  Regiment  marched  out  of 
Camp  W.  F.  Smith,  where  a  few  days  had  been  very 
•  agreeably  spent,  and,  at  7  o'clock  irf  the  evening, 
went  into  bivouac,  in  a  thick  pine  wood,  fourteen  miles 
from  the  starting-point.  The  next  day  and  night  were 
destined  to  be  the  most  fatiguing,  which  the  troops  had 
experienced  since  Bull  Run.  They  marched  to  Young's 
Mills,  were  overtaken  by  a  thunder  storm,  amid  which 
they  pushed  on  to  Warwick  Court  House  —  the  name  of 
which  was  more  imposing  than  the  place  itself  —  and, 
almost  immediately  afterwards,  were  sent  back  a  half- 
mile  or  more,  into  a  forest,  where  the  Second  was  em 
ployed  in  skirmishing  duty  for  a  considerable  part  of  the 
afternoon.  Relieved  by  the  10th  Massachusetts,  the 
Regiment  returned  to  Warwick,  filled  canteens,  was  sent 
forward  with  two  guns  of  a  Pennsylvania  battery,  as 
skirmishers,  and  was  finally  detailed  for  picket  duty 
through  the  night. 

Warwick  creek  separated  the  opposing  forces,  and,  as 
the  outposts  approached  each  other,  the  soldiers  on  both 
sides  were  disposed  to  be  friendly.  There  were  stories 


74  SECOND    K1IODE    ISLAXJ)    VOLUNTEERS.        [April, 

told  in  camp  of  some  of  the  knapsacks,  which  the  First 
and  Second  lost  at  Bull  Run,  being  in  the  possession  of 
the  rebel  pickets.  Doubtless  there  was  some  boasting  — 
"bluff,"  in  the  vernacular  —  by  both  parties.  But  there 
was  no  apparent  ill-will  on  either  side  of  the  narrow 
stream.  The  distant  batteries  were  a  little  more  spiteful, 
and  the  shells,  which  occasionally  fell  inconveniently  m-ar 
to  headquarters,  were  sufficiently  suggestive  of  events  to 
come.  On  the  7th  the  weather,  which  had  been  delight 
fully  warm  and  pleasant,  changed  to  a  cold  north-easterly 
storm,  that  continued  till  the  10th.  "Camp  Misery" 
the  men  called  their  place  of  bivouac  —  a -muddy  ploughed 
field,  in  which  there  was  nothing  but  discomfort.  "  Our 
rations,"  writes  one  of  the  soldiers,  on  the  8th,  "are 
stuck  in  the  mud  some  four  or  five  miles  from  here,  and, 
altogether,  everything  about  us  looks  dismal  enough. 
Those,  who  choose  to  risk  their  lives  for  the  purpose, 
arc  not  prevented  from  foraging,  and  occasionally  a 
sheep,  or  hog,  a  chicken,  or  even  a  bullock,  finds  its 
way  into  camp.  Our  company  (E)  was  relieved  from 
picket  duty  this  afternoon,  and  each  man  was  treated 
to  a  drink  of  whiskey,  with  an  extra  ration  of  water 
in  it." 

The  commissariat  throughout  the  army  seems  to  have 
been,  at  this  time,  somewhat  defective,  and  both  men 
and  officers  were  subjected  to  many  privations.  But 
they  endured  everything  with  a  cheerful  spirit,  and 
readily  shared  with  one  another  their  scanty  supplies. 
The  advent  of  the  paymaster,  and  a  change  of  situation, 
from  the  ploughed  ground  to  a  dry  place  in  a  neighbor 
ing  forest,  are  recorded  as  among  the  pleasing  incidents 
of  the  time.  A  large  part  of  the  money  received  was 
sent  home  by  the  men  of  the  Regiment,  and,  had  rations 
been  more  abundant,  the  week  or  ten  days'  sojourn  in 


1802.]  Till!    I'KNINSULA.  75 

tliis  neighborhood  would  not  have  been  without  its 
agreeable  feature?.  Duty  was  light,  the  weather  was 
warm,  and  the  camp-ground  dry.  One  poor  fellow  in 
Company  C  came  down  with  fever,  died,  and  was  buried 
on  the  18th,  and  a  few  men  were  prostrated  by  sickness. 
But,  on  the  whole,  the  health  of  the  Regiment  was 
exceedingly  good.  Other  portions  of  the  army  were  not 
quite  so  fortunate.  Sickness  began  to  show  itself,  and  it 
became  necessary  to  organize  the  medical  department 
more  thoroughly.  A  corps  hospital  was  established  about 
this  time,  near  Warwick  Court  House,  and  Dr.  Wheaton 
was  placed  in  charge  —  his  long  experience  as  an  army 
surgeon  commending  him  to  the  position.  On  the  10th 
our  lines  approached  Yorktown,  and  the  Second  moved 
out  of  cam]>,  advancing  three  or  four  miles  over  a 
very  difficult  and  muddy  road.  But  little  was  done,  how 
ever,  while  in  this  position,  and,  on  the  22nd,  inarching 
along  horribly  miry  ways,  the  Regiment  returned  to 
Warwick  Court  House,  and  arrived  at  its  old  camping 
ground  about  G  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

General  McClellan  was  carrying  on  the  siege  of  York- 
town,  and  doubtless  there  was  considerable  excitement 
on  the  right  of  our  lines,  where  the  principal  operations 
were  conducted.  Batteries  were  actively  engaged  on  both 
sides,  and  the  booming  of  the  heavy  siege  guns  came 
down  on  the  wind,  to  tell  of  the  protracted  conflict. 
But.  on  the  left,  our  men  were  comparatively  inactive, 
except  in  the  incessant  and  wearisome  picket  duty,  of 
which  the  Second  had  its  full  share.  A  dashing,  but,  in 
the  end,  a  destructive,  reconnoisance  was  made  on  the 
li>tli,  by  portions  of  the  3rd,  4th,  and  Cth  Vermont  regi 
ments,  which  crossed  Warwick  creek,  carried  and  held  a 
line  of  the  enemy's  rille-pits  for  an  hour  or  more,  but 
were,  iu  the  end,  compelled  to  retire  wjth  considerable 


76  -i:<  OND  KIIODI:  ISI.AXD  YOLL'NTKKHS.        [May, 

loss.  The  Second,  with  a  part  of  the  36th  New  York,, 
made  a  short  expedition  down  the  left  bank  of  Warwick 
creek,  toward  the  James  river,  starting  about  9  o'clock  in 
t  he  evening  of  the  28th.  After  a  march  of  three  hours 
the  troops  found  excellent  shelter  in  the  mansion  house, 
and  about  the  grounds  of  a  wealthy  Virginia  planter 
named  Young,  who  had  abandoned  his  property  and 
entered  the  enemy's  service.  The  place  is  described  as  of 
great  beauty  and  even  elegance,  occupying  a  command 
ing  site,  overlooking  the  James  and  the  country  adjacent* 
It  was  one  of  the  finest  estates  in  that  part  of  Virginia, 
with  large  orchards  of  different  kinds  of  fruit  trees,  and 
pleasure  grounds  tastefully  laid  out  and  embellished.  It 
was,  in  every  way,  an  agreeable  change  from  the  dingi- 
ness  and  discomfort  of  Warwick  Court  House.  Con 
siderable  activity  was  observed  along  the  enemy's  lines, 
across  the  creek,  and,  at  one  time,  the  camp  fires  indi 
cated  the  presence  of  a  large  force.  But  little  came  of 
it.  and  our  men  had  an  opportunity  for  rest  in  their 
com  f ortable  quarters. 

General  McClellan's  preparations  for  assault  were  so 
far  completed  as  to  induce  him  to  feel  that  the  decisive 
attack  might  be  made  upon  the  6th  -of  May.  But  the 
enemy,  having  also  perfected  his  arrangements  for  de 
fence  at  points  nearer  Richmond,  was  not  disposed  to 
risk  an  enga.irement  at  Yorktown.  General  Johnston 
was  a  wary  antagonist,  and  preferred  an  evacuation  of 
his  position  to  downright  fighting  here.  Heavy  cannon 
ading  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  Yorktown  by  our 
men  on  the  left,  who  indulged  in  much  speculation  as  to 
its  cause.  It  continued  through  the  day  and  night  of 
the  3rd  of  May,  and,  during  the  afternoon  of  the  4th, 
intelligence  came  down  from  headquarters  of  the  with 
drawal  of  the-  enemy.  The  retreat  was  conducted  with 


isf  »•>..]  TIM: 

great  skill,  l»ut  it  iuxohed  the  abandonment  of  seventy  or 
eighty  siege  guns  and  a  considerable  amount  of  ammuni 
tion  and  supplies.  A  month's  time  had  been  secured  by 
tlie  enemy,  in  the  operations  at  Yorktown,  and  he  had 
well  used  it  in  strengthening  himself  at  the  points  above. 
He  retired  up  the  road  toward  Williamsburg,  falling 
leisurely  back  to  a  fortified  position  between  the  head 
waters  of  two  small  tributaries  of  the  York  and  James 
rivers.  Our  cavalry  pursuit  overtook  the  rear-guard  of 
Johnston's  army  at  this  point,  which  was  well  protected 
by  Fort  Magruder —  a  large  and  strongly-constructed 
earthwork,  with  smaller  redoubts  on  either  side.  On  th«- 
5th  —  contrary  to  the  design  both  of  Generals  Meridian 
and  Johnston — a  bloody  battle  was  fought  in  front  of 
these  works,  General  Hooker,  in  command  of  a  division 
in  the  Third  Corps,  supported  by  Generals  Couch's  and 
Smith's  divisions  of  the  Fourth  Corps,  made  the  attack, 
but  the  work  was  too  strong  to  be  forced,  and  the  cnem  \  *< 
line  was  finally  turned  by  a  Hank  movement  of  General 
Hancock's  brigade  upon  the  right.  The  roads  were  ex 
ceedingly  difficult,  rcenforcemeiits  could  not  be  pushed 
forward  with  sufficient  promptness  and  vigor,  and  the 
pursuing  forces  were  held  at  bay,  with  a  loss  of  over 
2000  killed,  wounded,  and  missing.  McClellan  was 
cheeked,  and  Johnston  made  good  his  retreat  to  the  line 
of  the  Chickahominy. 

The  Second  Regiment  did  not  arrive  upon  the  ground 
till  after  the  battle  had  ceased.  It  left  Young's  farm  at 
5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  4th,  and  marched  until 
midnight,  making  ten  miles  with  but  a  single  halt.  Be 
yond  Lee's  Mills  the  road  was  in  very  bad  condition. 
The  night  was  dark,  the  mud  was  ankle  deep,  buried 
shells  were  occasionally  found,  and  the  men  had  a  hard 
time  of  it.  Now  along  the  tops  of  rifle-pits,  eighteen 


7S  SKCONI)    IIHOPK    ISLAND    VOLT  NTKKKS.          [May,. 

inches  iii  width,  now  through  fields  crossed  by  ditches 
and  filled  with  stumps  of  trees,  now  in  single  file,  and 
now  in  double,  they  managed  to  find  their  way,  but  with 
exceeding  difficulty.  To  add  to  the  discomfort  of  the 
situation,  rain  began  to  fall  soon  after  the  men  bivou 
acked,  and  they  awoke  in  the  morning  "pretty  thorough 
ly  soaked." 

At  6  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  march  was 
resinned  upon  a  road,  of  which  the  mud  was  beyond  all 
description  of  stickiness.  The  noise  of  the  battle  in 
front  was  heard,  and  the  troops  pushed  gallantly  and 
pluckily  on.  They  arrived  on  the  field  about  the  middle 
of  the  afternoon,  and  relieved  the  tired  and  weary  men 
of  Hooker's  command,  who  had  been  fighting  an  un 
equal  battle.  At  nightfall  the  enemy  had  retired,  and 
our  men  were  in  quiet  possession  of  the  ground.  The 
night  passed  wit hout  incident.  The  Regiment  picketed 
the  woods  immediately  in  front  of  our  left  flank,  and 
thus  came  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  until 
a  late  hour.  On  the  following  day  the  command  moved 
forward  beyond  the  abandoned  works,  and  General 
( -ouch's  division  encamped  in  a  fine  situation  about  a 
mile  below  Williamsburg.  The  men  of  the  Second  were 
employed  for  the  greater  part  of  the  day  in  burying  the 
dead  and  caring  for  the  wounded.  General  McClellan 
rode  through  the  camps,  addressing  a  few  encouraging- 
words  to  the  soldiers.  General  Devens  issued  a  congrat 
ulatory  order,  upon  the  good  conduct  of  his  command, 
and  hoped  for  even  better  things  to  come.  Governor 
Sprague  made  a  hurried  visit  to  the  headquarters  of  the 
Second.  The  day  was  bright,  the  men  were  recruiting 
from  the  tiresome  march  of  the  previous  day,  and,  on 
the  4  tli.  the  army  started  forward  again  in  high  and 
hopeful  spirits.  Meanwhile.  (Jem-nil  Kranklin,  with  his 


1862.]  TIII-:  I-KNINM  I.A.  ;it 

own  division  and  those  of  Generals  Sedgwick,  Porter,, 
and  Richardson,  had  gone  up  the  York  river  to  West. 
Point,  where  he  disembarked,  with  some  loss,  on  the 
morning  of  the  7th.  This  movement  necessitated  the- 
quick  retreat  of  the  enemy  beyond  the  upper  waters  of 
the  Chickahominy,  and  gave  to  our  own  army  a  new  and 
more  convenient  base  of  supplies,  General  Stoneman, 
witli  an  advance-guard  of  cavalry,  artillery,  and  infantry* 
was  despatched  from  the  main  body  to  open  communica 
tion  with  General  Kranklin. 

The  advance-guard  consisted  of  the  Second,  the  Osth 
Pennsylvania  Infantry,  the  Oth  United  States  Cavalry, 
the  8th  Illinois  Cavalry,  Major  Robinson's  battery. 
United  States  Artillery,  and  a  Pennsylvania  battery. 
Colonel  Wheaton  was  in  command  of  the  two  infantry 
regiments,  leaving  Lieutenant-Colonel  Steere  in  immedi 
ate  charge  of  the  Second.  The  energy,  bravery,  and 
endurance  of  the  men,  and  the  skill  with  which  the- 
troops  were  handled  by  the  officers,  won  the  special  com 
mendation  of  General  Stoneman.  The  command  started 
early  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  and,  on  the  9th,  at 
Slaterville,  there  was  a  brisk  and,  in  some  respects,  ,-u 
brilliant,  affair,  which  reflected  considerable  credit  upon 
those  who  were  engaged  in  it.  According  to  the  account, 
given  at  the  time  by  a  correspondent  of  the  Xew  York 
Times,  the  engagement,  though  brief,  was  a  good  test  of 
the  quality  of  our  men.  "About  3  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon,  eighty  men  of  the  6th  United  States  Cavalry  had 
advanced  to  Slaterville,  when  a  considerable  force  of  the- 
enemy  was  observed  directly  in  front.  Our  force  charged 
upon  the  rebels,  and  obliged  them  to  retreat  precipitately 
-to  the  woods  behind  a  hill  on  the  left  of  the  main  road, 
after  which  we  occupied  the  hill  with  two  pieces  of  ar 
tillery  and  the  infantry —  the  Second  Rhode  Island  and 


80  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLVNTKKHS.         |M;iv. 

the  98th  Pennsylvania  —  besides  the  cavalry  previously 
mentioned.  Shortly  after,  the  enemy  reappeared  from 
the  woods,  with  three  squadrons  of  cavalry  and  two 
pieces  of  artillery,  supported  by  one  regiment  of  infantry. 
He  fired  four  times  in  quick  succession,  which  was 
responded  to  by  our  guns,  when  the  Second  Rhode 
Island  was  ordered  forward  to  act  as  skirmishers,  and 
the  98th  Pennsylvania  formed  in  line  of  battle  in  the 
rear  of  the  artillery  and  cavalry.  These  arrangements 
completed,  the  skirmishers  continually  advanced  toward 
the  enemy,  while  the  cavalry  also  proceeded  forward 
until  within  fifty  yards  of  the  enemy,  when  it  halted,  and 
the  enemy's  fire  ceased. 

"The  98th  Pennsylvania  then  advanced  toward  the  edge 
of  the  woods,  when  the  rebels  retreated  into  an  open  field. 
Our  artillery  was  ordered  into  position,  and,  upon  receiv 
ing  two  shots  from  the  enemjr,  returned  them  with  much 
execution.  After  this  exchange  of  shots  by  the  artillery, 
preparations  were  made  by  our  men  to  make  another 
charge  upon  the  enemy,  observing  which,  he  retreated, 
and  did  not  return."  The  enemy's  force  was  doubtless; 
one  of  observation,  and  was  hardly  intended  to  make  a 
serious  resistance  to  our  advance.  But  it  put  the  men 
upon  their  mettle,  and  gave  them  an  opportunity  of 
measuring  arms  with  the  foe.  The  cavalry  behaved 
handsomely,  and  Colonel  Wheaton's  disposition  of  the 
infantry  and  artillery  attracted  attention,  and  elicited 
praise  from  the  commanding  general. 

Communication  was  soon  opened  with  General  Frank 
lin,  and  the  command,  pushing  on,  reached  New  Kent 
Court  House  at  noon  on  the  10th.  After  a  halt  for  the 
greater  part  of  the  afternoon,  to  enable  the  cavalry  to 
clear  the  road,  the  troops  marched  to  the  Pamunkey, 
planted  batteries,  and  were  allowed  a  good  night's  sleep, 


1862.  ]  THE    I'llMNSTLA.  81 

yet  with  equipments  on  and  arms  at  hand,  ready  for  any 
emergency.  Tuesday,  the  llth.  was  a  day  of  compara 
tive  rest,  but,  on  the  12th,  the  brigade  stood  to  arms,  ex 
pecting  some  hostile  demonstration  from  the  enemy's. 
rear-guard.  Xone  was  made,  and,  in  the  evening,  the- 
Second,  with  the  cavalry,  the  3rd  United  States  Artillery, 
and  the  98th  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  made  a  rapid  march 
toward  White  Honse,  and,  at  midnight,  bivouacked  on 
the  farm  of  General  Lee.  Other  regiments  came  np  in 
the  course  of  the  night,  and  the  position  was  further 
strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  two  gunboats  from  below. 
The  enemy  slowly  retired  before  our  advance.  On  the: 
14th  and  loth  the  main  body  of  the  army  reached  the- 
place,  and  the  advance  moved  up  the  river  for  a  distance- 
of  about  two  miles.  There  was  a  little  skirmishing  in 
front,  in  which  Companies  A,  Captain  Dyer,  and  E, 
Captain  Stanley,  participated.  A  heavy  rain  was  falling 
at  the  time.  No  damage  was  done  on  either  side.  On 
the  16th  General  McClellaii  visited  the  headquarters  of 
the  advance-guard  —  Camp  Scott  —  and  the  band  of  the* 
Second  complimented  him  with  a  serenade. 

The  two  following  weeks  were  destined  to  be  some 
what  eventful.  The  advance  steadily  pushed  forward, 
crossing  over  to  the  left  bank  of  the  Chickahominy,  above- 
( Jaines's  Mills  and  to  the  neighborhood  of  Mcchanicsville.. 
There  was  more  rain,  and  the  condition  of  the  roads  ren 
dered  marching  a  task  of  great  difficulty.  But  so  well 
trained  were  our  men,  that  the  cavalry  called  them  the- 
" flying  infantry,"  and,  in  no  case,  were  the  foot-soldiers 
far  behind  the  horsemen  in  celerity  of  movement.  On 
the  20th  Companies  E,  Captain  Stanley,  and  K,  Lieuten 
ant  Shaw  commanding,  were  on  special  duty.  On  the- 
23rd  there  was  a  sharp  skirmish  near  Wilkinson's  Bridge* 
at  the  crossing  of  the  Chickahominy,  in  which  the  artil- 


82  SECOND    RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.          [May. 

lery  was  mostly  engaged,  supported  by  the  Regiment. 
Company  C,  Captain  Clark,  was  sent  over  the  river  and 
occupied  the  position  from  which  the  enemy  retired. 
The  next  day  was  spent  mostly  in  skirmishing  and  taking- 
position,  against  the  threatened  advance  of  the  enemy's 
force  near  Mechanicsville.  On  the  27th  General  Fitz-.Tohn 
Porter  moved  up  to  Hanover  Court  House,  for  the  sake 
of  breaking  the  enemy's  railroad  communication  with  the 
north  and  west.  General  Stoneman,  with  cavalry,  artil 
lery,  and  the  Second  and  98th  Pennsylvania,  supported 
the  movement,  taking  picked  men  from  the  infantry 
regiments.  General  Porter  reached  the  Virginia  Central, 
now  called  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  railroad,  had  a 
smart  engagement  with  the  enemy,  inflicting  considerable 
loss  upon  him,  and  winning  a  decided  success.  On  the 
29th  a  party  of  cavalry  burnt  the  bridge  across  the  North 
Anna,  at  Ashland,  on  the  Fredericksburg  and  Richmond 
railroad. 

The  Second  performed  its  duty  at  the  Virginia  Central 
railroad  with  its  usual  promptness  and  vigor.  Our  men 
arrived  at  the  railroad  just  in  season  to  intercept  a  train 
going  toward  Richmond,  well  loaded  with  troops,  baggage. 
and  supplies.  The  artillery  opened  upon  the  train,  and 
caused  the  soldiers  occupying  it  to  make  a  hasty  retreat. 
Captain  Stanley  leaped  upon  the  locomotive,  his  men  of 
Company  E  took  immediate  possession  of  the  deserted 
cars,  and  secured  numerous  trophies  and  a  large  amount 
of  booty.  The  engine  and  cars  were  demolished,  and  a 
portion  of  the  track  was  destroyed.  The  entire  expedi 
tion  was  a  very  brilliant  affair,  and,  had  General  McDow 
ell's  command  at  Fredericksburg  been  moved  promptly 
down  to  a  junction  with  General  MeClcllun's  right,  thus 
extended  to  Hanover  Junction,  the  result  would,  doubt 
less,  have  been  decisive  of  the  campaign.  The  occupa- 


18G2.]  THE    I'KMNSl'LA.  83 

tion  of  Hanover  was,  indeed,  temporary,  the  troops  re 
turning  to  Mechanicsville  and  neighborhood  on  the  29th, 
but  General  McClellan  considered  that  his  right  flank 
was  rendered  secure  from  the  serious  attacks  of  the 
enemy's  forces,  which  had  lately  been  threatening  him  in 
that  quarter.  Possibly  he  may  have  overrated  the  im 
portance  of  Porter's  and  Stoneman's  operations  against 
the  railroads.  Had  they  reached  the  Fredericksburg 
line,  with  a  force  sufficient  to  destroy  any  considerable 
portion  of  its  track,  their  success  would  have  been  much 
greater  and  more  effective.  But  it  is  certain  that,  for 
the  time,  the  movements  were  carried  out  in  a  very 
creditable  manner.  Their  results  were  rendered  nuga 
tory  by  the  actions  of  a  man,  who,  on  this  and  many 
other  occasions,  as  our  generals  soon  learned,  had  a 
wonderful  facility  for  interfering  with  the  execution  of 
their  plans. 

"  Stonewall "  Jackson  was,  beyond  question,  the  most 
formidable  antagonist  our  armies  ever  encountered.  He 
knew  how  to  move  his-  troops  with  celerity,  and  to  inspire 
them  with  his  own  enthusiasm  in  the  confidence  of  vic 
tory  for  his  cause.  Knowing  every  mountain  pass  in 
Virginia,  he  suddenly  appeared  where  he  was  least  ex 
pected,  dealt  his  blows  with  an  unexampled  vigor  and 
rapidity,  and  was  off  again  with  a  quickness  of  movement 
which  rendered  pursuit  impracticable,  even  if  pursuit 
were  possible.  At  this  time  our  forces  operating  in  Vir 
ginia —  besides  those  011  the  Peninsula  —  were  divided 
into  three  independent  armies  —  General  Fremont  com 
manding  in  Western  Virginia;  General  Banks  in  the 
Valley  of  the  Shenandoah;  General  McDowell  on  the 
Rappahannock.  Fremont  had  15,000,  Banks  about  the 
same  number,  and  McDowell  between  30,000  and  40,000 
men.  When  Porter  was  at  Hanover,  McDowell's  advance 


84  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.          [May, 

was  within  fifteen  miles,  and  McDowell  himself  was 
eager  to  push  forward  and  form  a  junction  with  McClel- 
lan's. right  wing.  At  the  very  moment,  Jackson  spoiled 
the  combination,  and  succeeded  in  throwing  the  authori 
ties  at  Washington  into  a  temporary  panic  and  confusion. 

During  the  month  of  May,  while  Johnston  was  delay 
ing  McClellan  on  the  Peninsula,  Jackson  was  paying 
attention  to  Fremont  and  Banks.  A  portion  of  Fre 
mont's  command,  under  General  Milroy,  ventured  out 
from  the  mountains,  making  toward  Staunton.  Jackson 
forced  him  back  to  Franklin.  Banks,  who  had  gone  up 
the  valley  as  far  as  Harrisonburg,  weakened  by  the  with 
drawal  of  Shields,  who  had  marched  to  strengthen 
McDowell,  now  fell  back  to  Strasburg,  whither  Jackson 
directed  his  march  on  the  14th.  Banks  withdrew  down 
the  valley,  with  Jackson  manoeuvring  upon  his  rear  and 
flank,  to  cut  off  the  line  of  retreat,  striking  heavily,  on 
the  23rd,  upon  the  garrison  at  Front  Royal.  The  danger 
to  the  army  In  the  Shenandoah  Valley  was  imminent. 
If  Jackson,  on  its  flank,  could  intercept  its  march,  its 
doom  was  sealed,  and  Western  Maryland  was  open  to  the 
enemy's  attacks.  It  was  one  of  those  brilliant  coups,  for 
which  Jackson  had  already  won  distinction,  and  which, 
if  successful,  would  disarrange  the  entire  campaign 
against  the  rebel  capital.  Two  years  later  the  same 
movement  was  attempted,  but  Jackson  was  not  there  to 
lead,  and  our  experience  of  the  war  had  made  us  more 
cool  and  cautious. 

The  flanking  column  struck  the  rear  of  our  forces  at 
Middletown,  inflicting  some  loss.  But  Banks  stood 
boldly  at  bay  at  Winchester,  on  the  25th,  and,  ably 
seconded  by  Colonel  Gordon,  who,  with  the  2nd  Massa 
chusetts,  had,  in  all  the  campaign,  shown  unwonted 
skill  and  valor,  succeeded,  with  his  handful  of  men,  in 


1862.]  THE    PBKIX8ULA.  85 

liolding  Jackson  in  clieck  for  a  time.  What  could  8,000 
do  against  20,000?  The  little  army  made  a  hurried,  but 
comparatively  orderly  retreat  to  the  Potomac,  and  across 
to  Williamsport,  and,  on  the  26th,  took  a  secure  position 
on  the  Maryland  side.  Jackson's  object  had  not  been 
wholly  accomplished,  so  far  as  the  capture  or  destruction 
of  Banks's  army  was  concerned.  But  he  had  caused 
consternation  at  Washington,  and  prevented  the  junction 
of  McDowell  with  McClellan.  McDowell,  sorely  against 
his  judgment,  was  ordered  across  to  the  Shenandoah 
Valley,  in  a  futile  and  utterly  useless  movement  to 
intercept  Jackson's  retreat.  Fremont  was  directed  to 
move  eastward,  for  the  same  purpose.  Both  failed. 
Jackson  escaped,  striking  Fremont,  011  one  side,  at 
Cross  Keys,  and  Shields,  on  the  other,  at  Port  Republic. 
Mr.  S  win  ton  thinks  that  he  saved  Richmond,  "for, 
when  McClellan,  in  expectation  that  McDowell  might 
still  be  allowed  to  join  him,  threw  forward  his  right 
wing,  under  Porter,  to  Hanover  Court  House,  on  the 
26th  of  May,  the  echoes  of  his  cannon  bore  to  those  in 
Richmond,  who  knew  the  situation  of  the  two  Union 
armies,  the  knell  of  the  capital  of  the  Confederacy."* 
Whether  McClellan  could  have  prevented  these  move 
ments  of  Jackson,  had  he  still  held  the  supreme  com 
mand,  is  a  matter  in  question,  which  has  provoked 
considerable  discussion.  It  is  only  fair  to  him  to  state 
that,  by  the  president's  war  order,  number  three,  dated 
March  llth,  General  McClellan  was  "relieved  from  the 
command  of  the  other  military  departments,  he  retaining 
command  of  the  department  of  the  Potomac."  He  could 
not,  therefore,  control  the  operations  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley.  Neither  did  he  seem  to  have  the  power  of  bring- 

"Hiutory  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  p.  128. 


36  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND    VOLUNTEERS.          [May, 

ing  McDowell  to  make  a  junction  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  The  influence  that  hindered  was  the  desire  to 
cover  and  protect  Washington.  Certainly  the  capital 
should  have  been  made  secure  beyond  a  peradventure. 
This  is  not  the  place  to  decide  upon  the  wisdom  of  the 
course  pursued,  or  of  the  measures  adopted  for  that  end. 
In  considering  the  subject  there  is  one  part  of  it  which 
should  never  be  forgotten  —  the  presence  of  Jackson  on 
the  scene.  Until  his  appearance  McClellan's  movements, 
though  cautious,  were  yet  effective.  But,  after  his 
active  participation  in  the  campaign,  the  aspect  of  affairs 
was  changed,  and  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  thencefor 
ward  had  abundant  cause  to  stand  upon  its  guard,  and 
look  well  to  its  defence. 


1862.]  WITHIN   SIGHT   OF   RICHMOND.  87 


CHAPTER    VI. 

WITHIN    SIGHT   OF   RICHMOND. 


to  the  last  of  May  the  campaign  had  made  a  slewr 
T"  but  successful,  progress.  The  season  was  especially 
j  '  unfavorable  for  military  operations.  Frequent  rains 
made  almost  the  entire  Peninsula  a  swamp.  The  roads, 
softened  into  mud,  and  cut  up  by  the  continuous  passang- 
of  the  heavy  army  teams,  wagons,  artillery,  cavalry,  and 
men  on  foot,  were  in  the  worst  possible  state.  Yet  the* 
Army  of  the  Potomac  had  overcome  all  obstacles,  both 
natural  and  artificial,  and  now,  on  the  25th  of  May,  its 
advance  was  within  six  miles  of  Richmond,  awaiting  the 
order  for  the  final  attack.  The  failure  of  McDowell, 
through  no  fault  of  his  own,  to  effect  a  junction  with 
McClellan,  was  a  very  great  disappointment  to  both 
generals.  But  it  was  not  wholly  discouraging,  although 
a  man  of  McClellan's  temperament  might  be  disposed  to 
exaggerate  its  importance.  The  evil  consequences  of 
the  error  of  sending  McDoAvell,  upon  the  fruitless  attempt 
to  intercept  Jackson,  were  only  too  apparent.  Vi-t  it 
might  be  supposed  that  a  vigorous  officer,  fertile  in 
expedients,  could  have  found  means  of  correcting  it. 
The  battle  of  Fair  Oaks  was  the  premonition  of  the 


88  SECOND   RHODE    ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [May,. 

danger  of  final  failure.  At  least  it  was  the  indication, 
both  to  General  Mc,Clellan  and  the  country,  that  the- 
enemy  was  not  acting  wholly  on  the  defensive,  hut  was 
prepared  to  take  the  initiative  of  attack.  On  the  30th 
of  May  two  corps  —  the  Third  and  the  Fourth  —  were 
across  the  Chickahoniiny,  the  Fourth  Corps  in  advance, 
occupying  a  position  about  three  miles  beyond  the  river. 
and  not  far  from  Fair  Oaks  Station  upon  the  railroad 
running  from  West  Point  to  Richmond.  A  heavy  rain 
storm  came  on,  the  river  rose,  making  communication 
with  the  rest  of  the  army  difficult,  and  General  Keyes's 
command  was  in  serious  peril.  General  Johnston,  in 
command  of  the  enemy's  forces,  saw  his  advantage,  and 
quickly  availed  himself  of  the  opportunity.  On  our 
side,  Casey's  division,  holding  the  front  line,  was  slightly 
intrenched,  with  a  small  earthwork,  rifle-pits,  and  slash 
ings.  About  noon,  on  the  31st,  Casey  was  attacked  by 
a  largely  superior  force  of  the  enemy.  After  severe- 
fighting,  Casey  was  pushed  back  upon  the  line  held  by 
the  first  division,  under  General  Couch.  Notwithstand 
ing  the  skillful  manoeuvring  and  the  stubborn  resistance 
of  Couch,  he  also  was  compelled  to  retire  for  a  short 
distance  toward  the  Chickahoniiny.  Casey's  division 
was  very  roughly  handled  and  thrown  into  great  disorder. 
But  both  divisions,  in  forming  upon  a  new  line  farther- 
to  the  rear,  rallied  handsomely,  and,  with  the  assistance- 
of  Kearney's  division  of  the  Third  Corps,  and  Sedgwick's^ 
and  Richardson's  divisions  of  the  Second  Corps,  which 
came  up  about  6  o'clock,  succeeded  in  stopping  the 
enemy's  advance.  General  Keyes  speaks  well  of  Couch's 
division  in  his  report,  and  there  is  no  question  of  its 
gallantry.  But  the  appearance  of  the  fresh  troops,  from 
Heintzelman's  and  Sumner's  corps,  was  very  encouraging 
to  the  hard-pressed  men,  and  put  a  new  aspect  upon  the 


1862.]  WITHIN  >K;HT  OF  KI<  HMOND.  89 

affair.  By  sundown  the  enemy  was  effectually  checked. 
Our  advanced  lines  had  been  driven  back,  but  the  posi 
tion  at  nightfall,  at  the  station  of  Fair  Oaks,  was  secure. 
The  battle  was  renewed  on  the  1st  of  June,  with  better 
success  for  our  arms.  General  Sumner's  dispositions 
during  the  night  had  been  such  as  to  offer  a  very  strong 
front  to  the  enemy's  assault,  and  even  to  warrant  a 
counter  attack.  Generals  Hooker,  Sickles,  French,  How 
ard,  and  Richardson,  particularly  distinguished  them 
selves,  and  so  gallantly  did  the  troops  behave,  as  to  force 
back  the  enemy  with  severe  loss,  and  in  great  confusion. 
By  noon  the  lines  of  the  previous  day  were  resumed,  and 
the  enemy  withdrew  within  his  own  intrenchments. 

In  this  battle  General  Devens  is  spoken  of  as  having 
shown  himself  as  remarkably  skillful  and  cool  upon  the 
field,  and  as  having  "made  repeated  and  gallant  efforts 
to  regain  portions  of  the  ground  lost  in  front."  He  was 
severely  wounded,  while  cheering  on  his  men,  and  was 
obliged  to  retire  from  the  field.  On  the  2nd  of  June 
General  McClellan  published  a  congratulatory  address, 
and  intimated  that  a  decisive  battle  was  imminent.  But 
Fair  Oaks  Station  was  the  nearest  point  to  Richmond 
which  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  destined  to  reach  in 
this  campaign.  The  Second  Regiment  did  not  share  in 
the  dangers  or  the  honors  of  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks.  It 
was  still  in  Stoneman's  command,  operating  upon  our 
extreme  right.  After  the  return  of  Porter  from  his 
expedition  to  Hanover  Court  House,  and  the  brilliant 
affair  at  the  Virginia  Central  railroad,  the  Regiment  had 
little  to  do  besides  marching  and  skirmishing.  It  left 
Stoneman  on  the  1st  of  June,  and,  on  the  3rd,  rejoined 
its  brigade,  to  which  General  I.  X.  Palmer  was  assigned, 
after  General  Devens  had  been  disabled. 

The  greater  part  of  this  month  of  June,  for  the  Army 


00  SK(  OXD   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [June, 

of  the  Potomac,  was  one  of  those  seasons  of  apparent 
inactivity,  when  the  germs  of  great  events,  if  so  it  may 
be  said,  were  slowly  but  surely  developing.  The  two- 
opposing  armies  on  the  Peninsula  were  more  than  once- 
arrayed  in  battle  array,  but  did  not  come  to  actual  blows. 
McClellan  more  than  once  telegraphed  to  Washington 
that  a  battle  was  imminent.  In  his  address  to  his 
soldiers,  on  the  2nd  of  June,  he  declared  that  "  the  final 
and  decisive  battle"  was  "at  hand."  And  yet,  the 
battle  was  not  fought.  The  roads  and  fields  were  "lit 
erally  impassable."  If  he  attempted  a  demonstration  he- 
found  his  enemy  ready  to  meet  him.  That  enemy  was- 
quietly  biding  his  time.  Once,  indeed,  he  sent  a  cavalry 
raiding  party  around  the  entire  camp,  which  had  an 
interest  for  the.Second,  inasmuch  as  two  thousand  dollars 
of  its  money,  with  the  messenger  who  had  it  in  charge, 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  bold  riders.  Chaplain  Jame 
son,  with  ten  thousand  more,  narrowly  escaped,  and 
succeeded  in  forwarding  the  amount  to  the  soldiers* 
homes.  With  this  exception,  matters  were  comparatively 
(juiet.  The  enemy  was  calmly  awaiting  the  return  of 
Jackson,  and  our  own  army  as  calmly  sat  down  before 
Richmond.  The  administration  and  the  country  could 
hardly  understand  the  reason  for  such  inaction. 

The  excitement  caused  by  Jackson's  rapid  and  success- 
t'ul  movement  down  the  Shenandoah  subsided.  His 
retreat,  as  successfully  made  as  his  advance,  had  the 
effect  of  scattering  to  the  winds  the  combinations  of 
Fremont,  Banks,  and  McDowell,  and  was  to  have  larger 
and  more  important  results  still.  There  was  far  more- 
than  appeared  upon  the  surface.  The  Army  of  the 
Potomac  itself,  still  large  in  numbers,  and  occupying 
intrenched  camps,  was  not  the  same  in  spirit  and  strength 
;is  when  it  disembarked  and  laid  siege  to  York  town.. 


1S02.]  WITHIN    SIGHT    <)F    i;i«  IIMONB.  1)1 

The  extreme  heat  of  the  season,  the  malaria  of  the 
Chickahominy  moiaaaes,  the  continuous  rains,  the  labori 
ous  marching  and  fighting,  with  their  incommensurate 
results,  told  fearfully.  An  abandonment  of  its  position 
after  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  a  transfer  to  the  south 
of  the  James,  a  rapid  movement  upon  Petersburg,  would 
probably  have  saved  the  campaign.  This  course  seemed 
all  the  more  desirable  after  it  was  known  that  McDowell's- 
cooperation  was  impossible.  But  that  was  an  operation 
which  the  commanding  general  was  not  now  prepared  to 
make,  even  if  he  felt  bold  enough  to  undertake  it.  That 
it  was  afterwards  discussed  at  headquarters  is  known  to 
the  writer  of  these  pages.  But  then  the  time  for  such  a 
movement  had  passed. 

Allusion  has  been  made,  in  the  preceding  chapter,  to- 
the  influence  of  Stonewall  Jackson's  presence  in  the 
struggle.  A  still  more  powerful  influence  was  now 
introduced,  which  made  itself  felt  through  all  the  subse 
quent  events  and  movements  of  the  war.  In  the  battle 
of  the  31st  of  May  General  Johnston  was  wounded,  and. 
on  the  3rd  of  June,  General  Robert  E.  Lee  was  assigned 
to  the  command  of  the  enemy's  army  at  Richmond.  Lee- 
had  been  a  trusted  officer  upon  General  Scott's  staff,  and 
in  the  Mexican  war  had  won  considerable  distinction. 
At  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  he  deemed  that 
allegiance  to  his  state  overweighed  his  obligations  of  duty 
to  the  Union.  Accordingly,  when  Virginia  passed  the 
ordinance  of  secession,  Lee  resigned  his  office  in  the 
I'nited  States  army,  and  offered  his  services  to  the 
"Confederacy."  He  gradually  obtained  the  entire  con- 
Jidence  of  the  insurgent  government,  and  was  fixed  upon 
a*s  the  successor  of  Johnston,  when  that  general  was 
disabled.  From  that  time  onward,  as  commander  of  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  he  successively  met  the 


92  •>!:<  OXD    IllIODE    ISLAND    VOLUNTEKKS.         [June. 

different  commanders  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and 
proved  himself  the  ablest  foe  the  Union  generals  encoun 
tered  on  any  field.  By  his  genius  as  a  soldier,  and  the 
power  of  his  personal  character  as  a  man,  lie  gave  to  the 
Rebellion  a  strength  and  vitality  which  prolonged  it 
through  years  of  slaughter  and  blood.  From  the  begin 
ning  to  the  end  of  his  active  command  in  the  field,  he 
showed  a  persistency  and  resolution  which  yielded  only 
with  the  life  of  the  "  Confederacy  "  itself.  Here,  then, 
was  another  element  in  the  problem,  which  rendered  it- 
still  more  difficult  of  solution  than  before. 

After  the  Regiment  rejoined  its  old  brigade,  it  was 
engaged  in  the  performance  of  the  usual  camp  duties. 
It  took  its  turn  on  picket,  and  had  its  daily  drill.  Thus 
the  time  passed  until  the  25th,  when  there  was  fought  a 
serious  engagement,  near  the  old  battle-ground  of  Fair 
Oaks.  It  does  not  appear  that,  on  either  side,  a  general 
battle  was  desired.  But  there  was  a  series  of  very  sharp 
skirmishes,  continuing  from  10  o'clock  in  the  morning  to 
6  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  The  fighting  was  mostly 
done  by  Hooker's  division  of  Heintzelman's  corps,  but, 
in  the  afternoon.  Palmer's  brigade  was  sent  forward  to 
tlic  support  of  Sickles,  who  was  suffering  considerably 
under  a  hard  fire.  The  brigade  "went  up  the  road 
handsomely,'*  says  the  account,  "the  10th  Massachusetts, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Decker,  in  advance,  followed  by  the 
Second  Rhode  Island,  Colonel  Wheaton,  the  36th  New 
York,  Colonel  Innis,  and  the  7th  Massachusetts,  Colonel 
Hussell."  The  10th  Massachusetts  deployed  as  skirmish 
ers,  Captain  DeRussey's  United  States  battery  was  put  in 
position,  and  the  remainder  of  the  brigade  formed  in 
support.  The  artillery  of  the  enemy  was  almost  within 
pistol  shot,  and  the  duel  that  ensued,  although  brief  in 
duration,  was  yet  close  enough  to  be  destructive.  The 


1  *<;•>.]  WITHIN  M<;HT  OF  RICHMOND.  93 

conduct  of  the  Regiment  was  commended  as  steady  and 
brave,  as  it  stood  amid  the  cannon.     Companies  I,  Cap 
tain  Read,  and  A,  Captain  Dyer,  were  assigned  to  picket 
duty  on  the  right  of  the  line,  at  the  close  of  the  day,  and 
were   engaged   in   a  brisk   skirmish,  just  before  dark. 
( 'ompany  H  was  not  in  the  action,  as  it  had  been  sent 
ui)on  grand  guard  early  in  the  day.     At  10  o'clock  in  the 
c veiling  there   was  considerable  firing,  in  front  of   the 
Second  and  the  10th  Massachusetts.     The  enemy  made 
an   attack,   but  was   easily   and   handsomely    repulsed. 
The  casualties  of  the  day,  in  the  Second,  amounted  to  5 
killed,  among  whom  were  Sergeant  Cole  of  G,  and  Cor 
poral  Bentley  of  A,  and  17  wounded,  among  whom  was 
Captain  Stanley  of  E.     One  of  the  wounded  men  died, 
not  long  after  the  battle,  from  the  severity  of  his  injuries. 
The  account  of  the  day's  operation,  as  published  at 
Richmond,  called  it  a  "severe  skirmish,"  and  intimated 
that  it  was  preliminary  to  a  general  action,  which  was 
expected  to  be  of  "great  moment."    It  was  really  a  part 
of  the  pressure  which  the  enemy  was  making  all  along 
our  lines,  preparatory  to  the  more  stringent  measures  he 
was  now  ready  to  adopt,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  the 
siege  of  his  capital.     General  McClellan,  in  his  report, 
speaks  of  his  decision  to  make  a  general  advance  on  the 
26th   or  27th.     But  the  forward  movement  was  made- 
from  the  other  side.     Our  right  flank  was  somewhat  "  in 
the  air,"  and  General  Lee's  plan  seems  to  have  been  to- 
mass  heavily  upon  it,  double  it  back  upon  the  centre, 
and  thus  inflict  a  heavy  and  disastrous  blow.     Jackson 
had  now  returned,  or  was  near  enough  to  join  in  the 
movement,  if  his  help  were  needed.     General  McCalFs 
Pennsylvania   Reserves  and  Fitz-John  Porter's  corps— 
the  Fifth  Provisional  Corps,  as  it  was  called  —  held  the 
position  at  Mechanicsville,  upon  which  the  blow  was  at 


94  SECOND    RHODE    ISLAXI)    \  OLr  XTEEKS.         [JuilC, 

first  directed.  McCall,  on  the  2Gth,  and  Porter,  who  wus 
in  command  on  the  27th,  made  a  very  spirited  fight,  and, 
though  they  lost  a  few  pieces  of  artillery  and  some 
ground,  the  troops  displayed  such  gallantry  in  attack, 
and  such  obstinacy  in  defence  against  a  superior  force,  as 
to  extort  praise  from  the  enemy.  But  the  result  of  the 
lirst  day's  fighting  proved  the  weakness  of  McClellan's 
lines  —  particularly  with  Jackson  now  threatening  the 
rear — and,  on  the  evening  of  the  26th,  the  necessity  of 
an  immediate  change  of  base  to  the  James  river  became 
imperative.  Its  feasibility  had  been  considered  a  week 
previously.  The  depots  were  broken  up,  the  stores, 
•which  could  not  be  removed,  were  burnt,  and,  by  the 
light  of  the  conflagration,  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
started  on  its  retreat. 

The  story  of  the  "seven  days'  battle"  has  been  so 
of  ten  told  as  not  to  require  a  repetition  here.  Mechanics- 
ville,  Gaines's  Mills,  Allen's  Farm,  Savage's  Station, 
Ulendale,  and  Malvern  Hill,  were  the  scenes  of  sanguin 
ary  battles,  as  the  army  slowly  and  sullenly  withdrew 
from  the  line  of  the  Chickahominy.  It  was  alternate 
lighting  and  retreating  —  a  battle  by  day,  a  march  by 
night.  The  battles  were  fierce  and  bloody.  The  enemy 
was  temporarily  repulsed  at  every  point.  At  Malvern 
Hill  he  was  disastrously  defeated.  The  retreat  was 
masterly.  In  the  circumstances,  it  was  wonderfully  well 
conducted.  There  can  be  no  question  of  the  excelling 
bravery  of  the  troops  and  the  ability  of  their  commander 
in  this  movement.  But  the  damage  to  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  in  stores,  supplies,  material  of  every  kind,  in 
tin-  loss  of  men,  by  death,  wounds,  and  capture,  was 
immense.  When,  at  last,  on  the  3rd  of  July,  the  rear 
guard  moved  into  camp  near  Harrison's  Landing,  on  the 
banks  of  the  James,  it  was  with  the  sad  consciousness  of 


1862.]  WITIIIX  SK;HT  OF  RICHMOND.  ur> 

tlie  performance  of  rcsultlcss  duties,  and  the  endurance 
of  unavailing  sacrifices.  The  army  which  had  laid  siege 
to  Yorktown,  in  the  full  flush  of  the  hope  of  speedy 
victory,  now  sought  the  shelter  of  the  gunboats  at  Har 
rison's,  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  disappointment  and 
defeat.  Had  the  movement  to  the  James  been  made  a 
month  earlier,  and  without  duress,  it  would  have  been 
accepted  as  a  mark  of  bold  and  confident  strategy,  ^"ow, 
it  appeared  like  a  confession  of  failure. 

The  Fourth  Corps,  in  this  week  of  battle,  was  activelv 
and  vigorously  employed  in  taking  and  holding  positions 
along  the  line  of  retreat,  necessary  for  the  safe  with 
drawal  of  the  army.  Palmer's  brigade  was  with  Fit/ 
John  Porter,  ready  to  support  or  reenforce,  if  required, 
in  the  operations  of  the  26th.  and  27th  of  June.  On  the 
28th  General  Keyes  moved  his  corps,  with  artillery  and 
baggage,  across  the  White  Oak  Swamp  bridge,  and  took 
"positions  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  swamp,  to  cover 
the  passage  of  the  other  troops  and  trains.  "*  The  Second 
Regiment  was  employed  in  picking  up  stragglers  and 
sending  them  forward  to  their  commands.  On  the  29th 
the  Regiment  had  a  brief  but  sharp  engagement  with  a 
body  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  and  succeeded  in  securing  a 
small  number  of  prisoners.  On  the  afternoon  of  the 
same  day,  and  during  the  subsequent  night,  General 
Keyes  moved  down  to  the  James  river,  with  all  his 
artillery  and  stores,  and  took  position  a  short  distance 
below  Turkey  creek  bridge,  thus  covering,  with  Fit/ 
John  Porter's  corps  and  his  own,  the  Charles  City  road  to 
Richmond,  and  the  passage  of  the  supply  trains,  and 
opening  communication  with  the  gunboats  in  the  James. 

At  the  battle  of  Malvern  Hill,  on  the  1st  of  July,  Gen- 


*McClellan'i5  report,  p.  131. 


1)6  SECOND   IIHODE   ISLAND    VOLUXTEEKS.          [July. 

eral  Couch's  division  was  posted  on  the  right  of  Fitz- 
John  Porter's  corps  —  which  held  tlie  extreme  left  of  the 
line — and  became  the  object  of  a  heavy  attack  at  the 
opening  of  the  battle  in  the  afternoon.  Most  gallantly 
was  the  attack  received  and  repulsed.  Our  artillery 
replied  to  the  enemy's  guns  with  telling  effect,  and  our 
infantry  met  the  onset  of  the  foe  with  a  steadiness  which 
spoke  well  for  their  discipline  and  bravery.  Lying  on 
the  ground  until  the  advancing  column  came  within 
short  musket  range,  "they  sprang  to  their  feet  and 
poured  in  a  deadly  volley,  which  entirely  broke  the 
attacking  force,  and  drove  them  in  disorder  back  over 
their  own  ground."*  At  6  o'clock  a  similar  attack  was 
made,  with  a  similar  and  even  more  decisive  result. 
Our  men  rushed  forward  with  the  bayonet  and  captured 
" prisoners  and  colors."  An  hour  later  Couch  was  re 
lieved,  the  enemy  made  a  third  attack,  was  again  repulsed 
with  heavy  loss,  when,  at  last,  about  9  o'clock,  he  retired 
from  the  field.  It  was  a  bloody  battle,  and  amply  proved 
that,  notwithstanding  the  week's  trying  experience,  there 
was  still  as  good  fighting  material  as  ever  in  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac.  The  manner  in  which  the  officers  and 
men  bore  themselves  was  a  remarkable  testimony  to  their 
endurance  and  courage. 

The  army  remained  in  the  position  which  it  had  thus 
occupied  during  the  month  of  July  and  the  greater  part 
of  August.  As  soon  as  the  Second  Regiment  had  become 
once  more  established  in  camp,  the  former  routine  of 
drill  and  picket  duty  was  resumed.  Colonel  Wheaton 
issued  an  order  of  congratulation,  in  which  he  took 
occasion  to  speak  of  the  excellent  repute  of  the  If  Diri 
ment.  He  was  "proud  of  the  reputation  the  Regiment 


*McClellan1s  report,  p.  139. 


1862.]  WITHIN    SIGHT   OF    RICHMOND.  97 

had  acquired,  during  its  hard  service  on  the  Peninsula, 
for  efficiency  and  gallantry  in  the  field."  His  language 
was  none  too  strong.  Throughout  the  Fourth  Corps, 
indeed  throughout  the  army,  the  Regiment  was  known 
and  marked  for  its  steadiness,  its  good  discipline,  and  its 
intrepidity.  It  was  always  trustworthy.  There  was  a 
•certainty  that,  when  sent  upon  any  duty,  whether  trivial 
or  important,  the  duty  would  be  well  and  thoroughly 
performed.  The  good  name  which  the  Regiment  had 
thus  gained  was  undoubtedly  to  be  credited,  to  a  consid 
erable  extent,  to  the  careful  supervision  which  Colonel 
Wheaton  and  the  company  officers  exercised  over  all  the 
details  of  military  life;  and  much  was  also  due  to  the 
soldierly  pride,  which  the  rank  and  file  had  learned  to 
cherish  in  the  good  name  of  the  Regiment.  The  esprit 
de  corps  was  especially  marked  in  its  manifestations. 
The  men  of  the  Second  were  particularly  careful  to 
preserve  what  they  had  won.  Their  camp  was  always 
neat,  clean,  and,  in  some  instances,  even  attractive  in  its 
aspect.  On  the  march  their  bearing  was  firm.  In  battle 
they  were  cool  and  steadfast.  Amid  the  confusion  of 
the  seven  days  the  Fourth  Corps  performed  the  impor 
tant  and  delicate  duty  of  covering  the  march  and  the 
retreat,  and  fully  merited  the  praise  which  General 
McClellan  pronounced,  for  the  "skill  and  energy"  dis 
played  by  General  Keyes  and  his  command,  and  in  which 
Colonel  Wheaton  himself  generously  shared. 

During  the  occupation  of  Harrison's  Landing  and  the 
neighborhood,  the  army  had  time  for  rest  and  recupera 
tion.  Reinforcements  were  received  from  Newbern,  N. 
C.,  and  Port  Royal,  S.  C.  From  the  former,  General 
Burnside  brought  two  divisions,  under  Generals  Parke 
and  Reno:  from  the  latter,  General  Stevens  brought  one 
division.  These  were  encamped  at  Newport  News,  ready 


98  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Aug., 

to  go  up  the  river,  to  aid  in  a  demonstration  against 
Richmond,  or  to  evacuate  the  Peninsula,  if  that  should 
be  deemed  advisable.  The  sick  and  wounded  were 
gradually  sent  away,  and  distributed  among  the  general 
hospitals.  The  enemy  was  quiet  within  his  lines,  and, 
on  our  side,  no  movement  of  any  importance  was  made, 
except  a  reconnoissance  to  Malvern  Hill,  on  the  7th  of 
August,  which  was  without  any  decisive  results.  The 
withdrawal  of  the  army  had  already  been  determined 
upon,  nay,  had  become  imperative,  on  account  of  the 
large  force  which  threatened  General  Pope,  who  was 
operating  beyond  Manassas,  in  Central  Virginia.  On 
the  3rd  of  August  General  Halleck,  who  had  been 
assigned  to  the  command-in-chief  of  all  the  armies,  July 
llth,  notified  General  McClellan  that  he  must  withdraw 
his  army  from  the  Peninsula.  Burnside,  having  organ 
ized  the  Ninth  Corps,  with  Stevens's  command  as  one  of 
its  divisions,  had  already  gone  to  Acquia  Creek,  and 
McClellan  was  ordered  to  follow  him.  On  the  14th  the 
movement  of  the  main  army  commenced  both  by  land 
and  water.  Most  of  the  troops  marched  to  Newport 
News  and  Yorktown,  and  were  thence  embarked,  from 
the  19th  to  the  24th.  On  the  latter  day  headquarters 
proceeded  to  Acquia  Creek,  and,  on  the  26th,  to  Alexan 
dria. 

The  Second  Regiment  was  in  the  movement  to  Malvern 
Hill,  made  under  the  command  of  General  Hooker. 
There  was  considerable  skirmishing  during  the  day  and 
the  evening  of  the  7th  of  August,  until  10  o'clock,  when 
the  force  was  withdrawn,  and  the  Regiment  reached  its 
camp  at  Harrison's  Landing,  about  sunrise  of  the  8th. 
Another  week  passed,  in  preparation  for  a  movement, 
and,  on  the  morning  of  the  16th,  the  Regiment  marched 
out  of  camp.  Two  days  of  steady  marching  —  20  miles 


1862.]  WITHIN   SIGHT   OF   RICHMOND.  00 

each  day  —  brought  the  command  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Chickahominy.  On  the  18th  the  troops  passed  through 
Williamsburg,  and,  on  the  20th,  arrived  at  Yorktown. 
The  temporary  duty,  assigned  to  the  Fourth  Corps,  wa^ 
to  occupy  Yorktown,  and  strengthen  its  defences.  The 
entire  corps  lay  at  this  point  for  the  next  nine  or  ten 
days,  in  garrison.  The  soldiers  greatly  enjoyed  the 
interval  of  rest.  Supplies  were  abundant,  the  river 
furnished  plenty  of  fish  —  an  agreeable  change  in  camp 
diet  —  the  weather  was  delightful,  and  no  hostile  demon 
strations  were  made. 

The  Peninsular  campaign  had  been  very  destructive  of 
life  throughout  the  army  by  disease,  as  well  as  by  battle. 
It  was  almost  like  living  in  a  morass.  Many  thousands,, 
who  had  never  felt  a  wound,  were  prostrated  by  sickness, 
and  died,  or  were  discharged,  shattered  and  disabled  for 
years  to  come.  It  was  creditable  to  those  who  had  the 
care  of  the  health  of  the  Regiment,  that  the  deaths  were- 
few,  and  its  sanitary  condition  was  unusually  good.  1 
man  was  killed  in  front  of  Yorktown,  5  in  front  of 
Richmond,  and  1  died  from  wounds.  Besides  these,  1 
officer  and  11  men  died  from  disease,  during,  and  imme 
diately  subsequent  to  the  campaign.  Sergeant  S.  A. 
Newman  of  G  died  before  the  Regiment  left  Camp 
Brightwood.  Captain  Sherman  of  K  died  in  Bellevuo 
hospital,  at  New  York,  July  9th.  Corporal  Matteson  of 
A  died,  June  9th,  and  Corporals  Baker  and  Davis,  both 
of  I,  died,  the  former  on  the  24th  of  July,  and  the  latter 
on  the  30th  of  August.  The  other  men  died  at  different 
times,  from  May  to  September. 

Doctor  Wheaton's  management  of  his  corps  hospital  at 
Warwick  Court  House  was  so  successful  as  to  attract  the 
attention  of  his  superior  officers,  and  he  was  soon  put  in 
charge  of  all  the  hospitals  in  the  army  between  Young's 


100  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Aug., 

Mills  and  York  town.  At  the  time  of  the  change  of  base,, 
there  was  considerable  apprehension,  that  the  enemy 
might  come  down  the  Peninsula,  break  up  the  hospitals, 
and  capture  the  sick  and  wounded  men.  General  Van 
Alen,  military  governor  at  Yorktown,  ordered  Dr.  Wheat- 
on  to  remove  his  men  to  Portsmouth  Grove,  Rhode 
Island,  and,  accordingly,  two  transports  —  the  Atlantic 
and  Coatzacoalcos  —  were  taken,  filled  with  as  many  as 
could  be  accommodated,  to  the  number  of  fifteen  hun 
dred,  and  sent  to  sea.  They  arrived  at  Portsmouth  on 
the  6th  of  July,  and,  in  the  course  of  the  next  few  days,, 
the  men  and  nurses  were  transferred  to  tents  upon  the 
shore.  Soon  afterwards,  substantial  barracks  were  built, 
and  the  hospital  was  established.  The  change  from  the 
Peninsula  to  the  shores  of  Narragansett  bay  was  very 
salutary  to  the  patients,  but  the  chief  of  the  medical 
department,  at  Washington,  chose  to  look  upon  the 
removal  of  the  men  by  Surgeon  Wheaton,  as  a  disobedi 
ence  of  orders,  since  it  was  done  by  military,  rather  than 
medical  authority.  Technically,  the  surgeon-general 
was  right,  and  Dr.  Wheaton  was  dismissed  from  the 
service,  September  12th.  But  the  case  was  afterwards 
reopened  at  Washington,  and  the  injustice  of  the  decision 
became  apparent.  Upon  a  reconsideration,  made  by  the 
war  department,  at  its  own  instance,  the  special  order, 
dismissing  Surgeon  Wheaton,  was  revoked,  December 
llth,  1871.  Dr.  Wheaton's  resignation  was  tendered 
and  accepted,  and  he  was  thus  placed  on  the  record  as 
honorably  discharged.  Upon  the  severance  of  his  con 
nection  with  the  Regiment,  by  reason  of  his  hospital 
service,  the  burden  of  medical  duty  had  fallen  upon 
Assistant  Surgeon  Carr,  who  was  now  promoted  to  full 
surgeon,  his  commission  dating  from  September  12th. 
Dr.  Carr  was  in  sole  charge  of  the  Regiment  during 


1862.]  WITHIN   SIGHT   OF   RICHMOND.  101 

nearly  the  whole  time  of  the  campaign  on  the  Peninsula, 
and  the  good  sanitary  exhibit  bears  witness  to  his  faith 
fulness  as  a  medical  officer.  He  was  assisted,  for  a  time, 
by  Dr.  Ira  Perry,  whose  name,  however,  does  not  appear 
upon  the  rolls. 

The  Regiment  was  subject,  at  this  time,  to  another 
draft  upon  its  officers,  which  deprived  it  of  the  further 
service  of  its  lieutenant-colonel.  When  Colonel  Rodman 
of  the  Fourth  Rhode  Island  was  promoted  to  brigadier- 
general,  the  governor  of  Rhode  Island,  for  some  reason, 
did  not  see  fit  to  promote  its  officers,  but  decided  to 
appoint  a  colonel  from  another  regiment.  The  policy  of 
transferring  officers  from  one  regiment  to  another,  for 
promotion,  was  pursued  by  Governor  Sprague  through 
out  his  administration.  Of  its  wisdom  each  one  must 
judge  for  himself.  Its  immediate  effects  were  to  create 
great  dissatisfaction  in  all  the  regiments.  The  officers  iit 
line  of  promotion  naturally  felt  aggrieved,  especially  so 
if  they  had  faithfully  done  their  duty,  and  had  earned 
advancement.  The  position  of  the  appointee  was  also- 
difficult,  inasmuch  as  he  was  a  stranger  to  his  command, 
and  would  feel  himself  to  be  the  object  of  criticism  from 
both  officers  and  men.  It  was  a  compliment  to  the 
Second,  to  be  called  upon  to  furnish  officers  for  other 
regiments,  but,  when  subsequently,  the  Second  itself 
^became  subject  to  a  similar  exercise  of  arbitrary  power  on 
the  part  of  the  executive,  the  result  was  apparent  in  the 
embarrassment  and  trouble  which  came  upon  the  Regi 
ment.  This,  however,  was  happily  now  in  the  future, 
and  not  foreseen. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Steere  of  the  Second  was  promoted 
to  colonel  of  the  Fourth,  June  12th.  It  was  an  excellent 
appointment.  But  it  caused  much  disturbance  of  feeling 
among  the  officers  of  the  Fourth,  and  was  the  occasion  of 


104  SECOND   RHODE  ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Aug., 

moted  to  sergeant;  3rd,  Corporal  Maker  of  F  assigned  to 
color-guard,  as  "a  compliment  to  his  military  bearing"; 
12th,  Sergeant  Bowen  of  D  appointed  provost- sergeant; 
Corporals  Jencks  and  Reynolds  of  F  promoted  to  ser 
geant,  vice  Kidder  and  Whipple,  and  privates  Thomas  J. 
Patt  and  James  H.  Bennett  to  corporal;  private  N.  A. 
Sisson  of  A  to  corporal,  vice  Carter;  17th,  Sergeants 
Kruger  of  D  and  Groves  of  H  to  first  sergeant;  Corporals 
Gleason  of  A,  Hubbard  of  D,  and  W.  W.  Brown  of  H,  to 
sergeant,  and  privates  Joel  Rice  of  A,  Thomas  T.  Wood- 
mancy  of  H,  and  Ezra  Rounds  of  D,  to  corporal,  and 
John  Curry  to  musician;  February  1st,  private  Bennett 
Logan  of  C  to  corporal;  5th,  Corporal  Lawrence  Kelley 
of  B  to  lance-sergeant,  and  privates  T.  J.  Smith,  H.  H. 
Martin,  and  N.  A.  Peck,  of  D,  to  lance-corporal;  17th, 
private  William  Montgomery  of  F  to  lance-corporal  —  to 
take  charge  of  a  squad  of  six  men,  volunteering  for  the  gun 
boat  flotilla,  namely,  privates  B.  Bessie  of  D,  J.  Mahoney 
of  A,  W.  B.  Burns  of  G,  W.  M.  Cobb  of  K,  Ezra  Green 
of  H,  and  Sylvester  Riley  of  C;  March  5th,  Corporal  C. 
T.  Brown  of  E  to  sergeant,  vice  Ward,  discharged,  and 
private  Horace  T.  Viall  to  corporal,  vice  Brown,  promo 
ted;  6th,  Corporal  G.  W.  Thomas,  Jr.,  of  E,  to  sergeant, 
vice  N.  F.  Dixon;  18th,  Corporal  Cole  of  G  to  sergeant, 
and  private  Martin  McAvoy  to  corporal;  25th,  private 
T.  W.  Horton  of  I  to  corporal;  April  1st,  private  Job 
Tanner  of  B  and  Robert  Binns  of  H  to  corporal;  May 
loth,  private  Edward  Clifford  of  I  to  corporal;  25th,  Cor 
poral  Hawkins  of  I  to  sergeant,  and  private  T.  H.  Barker 
to  corporal;  July  8th,  privates  L.  B.  Wilson  of  A  and  G. 
W.  Kidder  of  F  to  corporal;  9th,  private  Peter  Wlielan 
of  A  to  corporal,  vice  Matteson,  deceased;  24th,  Cor 
poral  Anniss  of  C  to  color-sergeant;  August  3rd,  Corporal 
II.  C.  Dixon  of  E  to  sergeant,  vice  A.  Dixon,  discharged, 


1862.]  WITHIN   SIGHT   OF    RICH310ND.  105 

on  certificate,  and  private  George  Rodman  to  corporal, 
vice  H.  C.  Dixon,  promoted;  Sergeant  H.  A.  Greene  of 
I  to  first  sergeant,  vice  Chappel,  discharged;  Corporal 
Wight  to  sergeant,  and  private  Albert  F.  Davis  to  cor 
poral,  warrants  to  date  from  July  25th;  12th,  Corporal 
T.  J.  Smith  of  D  to  sergeant,  vice  Hnbbard,  resigned; 
27th,  private  A.  T.  Potter  to  corporal,  vice  Baker,  de 
ceased,  and  private  G.  H.  Chenery  to  corporal,  vice- 
Davis,  deceased. 

The  following  officers  were  honorably  mentioned  in 
despatches,  during  the  campaign:  Colonel  Wheaton, 
Captain  Stanley,  Adjutant  Smith,  First  Lieutenant  E. 
A.  Russell,  and  Second  Lieutenant  James  Lawless.  For 
strengthening  the  Regiment  for  the  next  campaign, 
Lieutenant  Jencks  was  sent  to  Rhode  Island,  August  Gth, 
on  recruiting  service.  On  the  29th,  after  the  recupera 
tion  of  the  stay  at  Yorktown,  the  Regiment,  in  good 
health  and  spirits,  embarked  on  board  the  steamer  S.  R. 
Spaulding,  and,  on  the  31st,  landed  at  Alexandria. 
Couch's  division  was  alone  sent  up  the  Potomac.  The- 
remainder  of  the  corps  was  left  at  Yorktown,  where  it 
was  stationed  for  a  considerable  time  afterwards.  The 
Regiment  did  not  again  return  to  the  corps  to  which  it 
had  originally  belonged,  but  was  subsequently  transferred 
to  the  Sixth,  as  will  be  related  in  due  time.  The  Fourth 
had  been  its  nursery,  and  it  cannot  well  forget  tho 
training  which  it  had  there  received. 


IOC  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.        [Aug., 


CHAPTER   VII. 

THE   MARYLAND   CAMPAIGN. 


'HEN  the  Regiment  landed  at  Alexandria,  it  found 
itself  in  the  midst  of  a  scene  of  great  commotion. 
General  Pope  had  been  engaged,  during  nearly  the 
entire  month,  in  manoeuvring  and  fighting  over  the 
ground  between  the  Rappahannock  and  Washington. 
The  evacuation  of  the  Peninsula  had  enabled  General  Lee 
to  bring  all  his  forces  upon  the  stage  of  conflict.  The 
last  week  of  August  was  marked  by  a  series  of  gallant  but 
ineffectual  struggles  with  the  superior  forces  of  the  enemy. 
Lee  was  very  much  more  than  a  match  for  Pope,  while 
Jackson,  almost  ubiquitous  in  this  campaign,  made 
himself  severely  felt  at  every  vulnerable  point.  Harassed, 
outgeneralled,  and  outnumbered,  General  Pope  was  fall 
ing  slowly  back  to  the  defences  of  Washington,  when  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  began  to  arrive  at  Alexandria  and 
Acquia  Creek.  The  Ninth  Corps,  under  General  Burn- 
side,  arrived  at  Acquia  on  the  3rd  of  August,  and  two 
divisions,  under  Generals  Reno  and  Stevens,  were  im 
mediately  sent  forward  to  reenforce  General  Pope.  But 
these,  although  able  to  protect  his  left,  were  yet  wholly 
insufficient  to  bring  the  army  of  Pope  to  a  strength  fairly 
commensurate  with  the  forces  opposed  to  him.  General 


1862.]  THE   MARYLAND    CAMPAIGN".  107 

Lee  was  endeavoring  to  strike  and  overwhelin^him,  while 
McClellan's  command  was  in  transit.  That  he  did  not 
succeed  was  owing  to  the  gallantry  and  steadiness  of  our 
army.  A  bloody  battle  was  fought,  on  the  29th  and 
30th,  upon  the  old  battlefield  at  Bull  Run,  the  two 
armies  having  respectively  changed  positions.  General 
Pope,  after  two  days'  hard  fighting,  was  compelled  to 
retire  upon  Centreville.  He  continued  his  retreat,  upon 
the  31st  of  August  and  the  1st  of  September,  withdraw 
ing  toward  Washington,  reenforced  and  supported  now 
by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  On  the  1st,  late  in  the 
afternoon,  portions  of  the  two  opposing  armies  came  in 
contact  with  each  other  at  Chantilly,  and  a  short  but  very 
severe  battle  was  fought,  in  the  midst  of  a  terrific  thunder 
storm.  It  was  marked  by  the  fall  of  Generals  Kearney 
and  Stevens — two  as  brave  and  daring  soldiers  as  could 
be  found  in  the  entire  army. 

The  Regiment,  immediately  after  its  disembarkation, 
marched  through  Alexandria,  and  went  upon  picket  duty 
near  Ball's  Cross  Roads.  On  the  1st  of  September  it 
continued  its  advance,  marching  through  Fairfax  Court 
House,  and  forming  line  of  battle  near  Chantilly.  About 
5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Captain  Randolph's  battery 
became  engaged,  and  the  Regiment  was  on  the  edge  of 
the  battle.  It  was,  at  the  time,  connected  with  the  bri 
gade  of  General  J.  C.  Robinson  of  General  Birney's 
division  of  the  Third  Corps,  but  was  not  called  into 
action.  This  battle  was  the  end  of  the  movements  on 
the  south  side  of  the  Potomac.  Had  General  Lee  formed 
any  plan  of  attacking  Washington  from  this  direction, 
the  junction  which  General  Pope  had  effected  with  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  completely  frustrated  it.  The 
stubborn  resistance  which  confronted  Lee,  at  every  point, 
assured  him  that,  although  badly  shaken,  General  Me- 


108  SECOND   KHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Sept., 

Clollan's  command  was  still  amply  able  to  hold  its 
ground.  He  accordingly  moved  his  army  northward, 
passing  through  the  gaps  of  the  mountains  into  the 
Shenandoah  Valley,  and,  making  for  the  fords  at  and 
near  William  sport,  crossed  the  Potomac.  The  advance- 
guard,  under  Jackson,  entered  Maryland,  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  6th  of  September,  and  marched  directly  on 
Frederick  City. 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  no  time  to  lose.  Gen 
eral  McClellan,  on  the  2nd,  was  appointed  to  the  com 
mand  of  the  fortifications  and  all  the  troops  for  the 
defence  of  Washington.  This  superseded  General  Pope, 
and  gave  the  entire  control  of  the  disposable  forces,  in 
and  around  the  capital,  to  the  general  commanding  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  announcement  was  received 
with  great  satisfaction  by  the  troops.  General  Burnside, 
on  the  3rd,  was  sent,  with  the  Ninth  Corps  in  advance, 
toward  Frederick.  As  the  enemy's  plans  had  not  yet 
been  developed,  and  it  was  uncertain  whether  he  intended 
to  strike  at  Baltimore  or  Washington,  or  to  penetrate 
Pennsylvania,  the  army  moved  cautiously,  with  its  left 
flank  near  the  Potomac,  while  the  right  pushed  into  the 
interior  of  Maryland.  General  Lee,  on  his  part,  observed 
a n  equal  caution.  As  Burnside  approached  Frederick, 
Jackson  was  withdrawn,  evacuating  that  place  on  the 
1  Oth.  Burnside  entered  the  city  on  the  12th,  his  advance 
having  a  slight  skirmish  with  some  rebel  cavalry,  which 
were  hovering  about,  as  a  rear-guard  to  the  retreating 
forces.  Lee,  now  sending  Jackson  to  reduce  Harper's 
Ferry,  where  Colonel  Miles  had  command,  halted  Gener 
als  Longstreet  and  D.  H.  Hill  near  Boonesboro',  to 
dispute  the  progress  of  our  army  at  that  point,  and  to 
hold  it  in  check,  at  Turner's  Gap,  in  the  South  Mount 
ains,  until  Jackson  had  done  his  work. 


1SIJ:>.]  TIIK    MAin  LAND    <  AMl'AIGX.  109 

A  severe  battle.  kno\vn  in  tlie  history  of  the  warns  the 
1  >at  tie  of  South  Mountain,  was  fought  in  and  about  this 
gap  on  the  14th.  .The  forces  on  our  side  were  the  X  int  h 
Corps,  General  Reno,  and  the  First,  General  Hooker, 
composing  our  right  wing,  under  General  Burnside. 
The  enemy's  forces  were  the  corps  of  Longstreet  and 
Hill.  The  mountain  pass  was  stoutly  defended  by  the 
enemy,  and  the  contest  for  its  occupation  continued  at 
intervals  from  9  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  9  in  the 
•(.'veiling.  The  enemy's  forces  finally  gave  way  before  the 
well-directed  attacks  of  our  men,  and,  during  the  night, 
retreated  down  the  mountain,  leaving  their  dead  upon 
the  field,  their  wounded  to  be  cared  for  by  our  troops, 
and  fifteen  hundred  prisoners  in  our  hands.  Burnside 
fought  the  battle  with  great  skill,  but  victory  was  embit 
tered  by  the  loss  of  General  lleno,  who  was  shot  dead, 
about  sunset,  as  he  was  in  the  very  front,  reconnoitring 
the  enemy's  position.  He  was  Burnside's  warm  personal 
friend,  and  one  of  the  bravest  officers  in  the  army. 
General  Lee  retired  behind  Antietam  creek,  and,  there 
concentrating  his  command,  awaited  the  further  advance 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  General  McClellan  fol 
lowed  closely,  and,  on  the  night  of  the*  loth,  and  during 
the  day  on  the  16th,  put  his  command  in  order  of  battle. 
General  Hooker  was  posted  upon  the  right,  and  sent 
across  the  creek.  Burnside  held  the  ground  upon  the 
left,  on  the  south  and  easterly  side  of  the  creek,  near  the 
stone  bridge  in  the  neighborhood  of  Sharpsburg. 

The  battle  of  Antietam  does  not  require  a  detailed 
description  here.  The  Second  was  not  engaged  in  it. 
It  was,  during  the  day,  within  sound  of  the  guns,  but 
was  employed  in  duties  which  were  thought  as  indispen 
sable,  although  not  so  attractive,  as  direct  participation 
in  the  fight  would  have  been.  It  had  a  melancholy 
10 


108  SECOND   KHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Sept., 

Chilian's  command  was  still  amply  able  to  hold  its 
ground.  He  accordingly  moved  his  army  northward, 
passing  through  the  gaps  of  the  mountains  into  the 
Shenandoah  Valley,  and,  making  for  the  fords  at  and 
near  Williamsport,  crossed  the  Potomac.  The  advance- 
guard,  under  Jackson,  entered  Maryland,  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  6th  of  September,  and  marched  directly  on 
Frederick  City. 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  no  time  to  lose.  Gen 
eral  McClellan,  on  the  2nd,  was  appointed  to  the  com 
mand  of  the  fortifications  and  all  the  troops  for  the 
defence  of  'Washington.  This  superseded  General  Pope, 
and  gave  the  entire  control  of  the  disposable  forces,  in 
and  around  the  capital,  to  the  general  commanding  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  announcement  was  received 
with  great  satisfaction  by  the  troops.  General  Burnside, 
on  the  3rd,  was  sent,  with  the  Ninth  Corps  in  advance, 
toward  Frederick.  As  the  enemy's  plans  had  not  yet 
been  developed,  and  it  was  uncertain  whether  he  intended 
to  strike  at  Baltimore  or  Washington,  or  to  penetrate 
Pennsylvania,  the  army  moved  cautiously,  with  its  left 
flank  near  the  Potomac,  while  the  right  pushed  into  the 
interior  of  Maryland.  General  Lee,  on  his  part,  observed 
an  equal  caution.  As  Burnside  approached  Frederick, 
Jackson  was  withdrawn,  evacuating  that  place  on  the 
1  Oth.  Burnside  entered  the  city  on  the  12th,  his  advance 
having  a  slight  skirmish  with  some  rebel  cavalry,  which 
were  hovering  about,  as  a  rear-guard  to  the  retreating 
forces.  Lee,  now  sending  Jackson  to  reduce  Harper's 
Ferry,  where  Colonel  Miles  had  command,  halted  Gener 
als  Longstreet  and  D.  H.  Hill  near  Boonesboro',  to 
dispute  the  progress  of  our  army  at  that  point,  and  to 
hold  it  in  check,  at  Turner's  Gap,  in  the  South  Mount 
ains,  until  .Jnckson  bad  done  his  work. 


lS»;-.>.  I  Till:    MAIIVI.ANI)    <  AMl'AIGX.  109 

A  severe  battle,  known  in  the  history  of  the  Avar  as  the 
battle  of  South  Mountain,  was  fought  in  and  about  this 
li'ap  on  the  14th.  .The  forces  on  our  side  were  the  Ninth 
Corps,  General  Reno,  and  the  First,  General  Hooker, 
composing  our  right  wing,  under  General  Burnside. 
The  enemy's  forces  were  the  corps  of  Longstreet  and 
Hill.  The  mountain  pass  was  stoutly  defended  by  the 
enemy,  and  the  contest  for  its  occupation  continued  at 
intervals  from  9  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  9  in  the 
evening.  The  enemy's  forces  finally  gave  Avay  before  the 
well-directed  attacks  of  our  men,  and,  during  the  night, 
retreated  down  the  mountain,  leaving  their  dead  upon 
the  field,  their  wounded  to  be  cared  for  by  our  troops, 
and  fifteen  hundred  prisoners  in  our  hands.  Burnside 
fought  the  battle  with  great  skill,  but  victory  was  embit 
tered  by  the  loss  of  General  lleno,  who  was  shot  dead, 
about  sunset,  as  he  was  in  the  very  front,  reconnoitring 
the  enemy's  position.  He  was  Burnside's  warm  personal 
friend,  and  one  of  the  bravest  officers  in  the  army. 
General  Lee  retired  behind  Antietam  creek,  and,  there 
concentrating  his  command,  awaited  the  further  advance 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  General  McClellan  fol 
lowed  closely,  and,  on  the  night  of  the' 15th,  and  during 
the  day  on  the  16th,  put  his  command  in  order  of  battle. 
General  Hooker  was  posted  upon  the  right,  and  sent 
across  the  creek.  Burnside  held  the  ground  upon  the 
left,  on  the  south  and  easterly  side  of  the  creek,  near  the 
stone  bridge  in  the  neighborhood  of  Sharpsburg. 

The  battle  of  Antietam  does  not  require  a  detailed 
description  here.  The  Second  was  not  engaged  in  it. 
It  was,  during  the  day,  within  sound  of  the  guns,  but 
was  employed  in  duties  which  were  thought  as  indispen 
sable,  although  not  so  attractive,  as  direct  participation 
in  the  fight  would  have  been.  It  had  a  melancholy 
10 


110  SECOXD    RHODE    ISLAND   VOLl'XTEERS.        [Sept., 

interest  in  the  battle,  as  connected  with  the  wounding 
of  Colonel  Steere  and  the  death  of  General  Rodman. 
Both  these  officers  were  in  the  Ninth  Corps,  and  were 
active  in  the  sanguinary  struggle  upon  the  bridge 
and  the  heights  beyond.  The  battle  was  obstinately 
fought  all  along  the  line,  and  resulted  in  a  decided 
advantage  for  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Hooker  and 
Sunnier,  on  the  right,  made  a  steady  advance,  in  which 
Hooker  was  severely  wounded.  Burnside,  on  the  left, 
forced  the  passage  of  the  bridge,  and  pressed  the  enemy 
back  to  the  borders  of  the  town  of  Sharpsburg.  It  was 
here  that  Rodman  fell,  while  leading  on  the  attack. 
Through  the  entire  day,  from  daylight  till  sunset,  the 
struggle  continued,  with  a  remarkable  persistence  and 
valor  on  both  sides.  Like  two  determined  athletes, 
neither  of  whom  was  willing  to  give  way  or  confess 
defeat,  the  two  armies  writhed  and  wrestled  in  a  contest, 
which  left  the  ground  strewn  with  the  dead  and  wounded. 
The  bloody  lines  swayed  back  and  forth,  leaving  the 
fallen  like  winrows  in  a  field,  through  which  the  reaper 
had  passed.  Thirty  thousand  men  were  the  number  of 
the  losses  sustained  that  day.  Neither  combatant  was 
disposed  to  renetv  the  conflict  on  the  morrow,  and,  on 
the  night  of  the  18th-19th,  General  Lee  silently  withdrew 
his  army,  recrossed  the  Potomac  without  any  serious 
opposition,  and  took  post  on  the  Virginia  side,  near  Sliep- 
herdstown. 

The  part  which  the  Regiment  took  in  all  these  move 
ments,  although  it  was  not  brought  into  collision  with 
the  enemy,  was  very  creditable  to  its  reputation  for 
fortitude  and  endurance.  After  the  battle  of  Chantilly, 
and  during  the  withdrawal  of  the  army  within  the 
defences  of  Washington,  the  Regiment  composed  a  part 
of  the  rear-guard,  and  was  the  last  to  leave  the  field.  It 


1862.]  THE   MARYLAND   CAMPAIGN.  Ill 

marched  through  Fairfax  Court  House,  and  reached 
Alexandria  at  2  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  3rd  of 
September.  On  the  4th  it  embarked  on  the  steamer 
Nellie  Baker,  landed  at  Georgetown,  crossed  and  marched 
up  the  right  hank  of  the  Potomac,  encamping  near  Fort 
Ethan  Allen.  On  the  5th  it  recrossed  the  river  by  the 
chain  bridge,  and  spent  the  night  at  Tonally  town.  On 
the  6th  it  marched  to  Rushville,  where  the  men  received 
welcome  supplies  of  shoes  and  clothing.  Welcome, 
indeed,  for  some  of  the  soldiers  had  been  barefooted  for 
several  weeks!  With  the  rear  corps  upon  the  left,  still 
marching  along  the  Potomac,  covering  the  fords,  the 
Regiment  lay  at  Seneca  Mills  on  the  night  of  the  9th, 
and,  on  the  next  day,  marched  to  Poolesville,  and  halted 
for  a  day  or  two.  While  resting  here,  the  men  rejoiced  in 
the  arrival  of  sundry  boxes  from  friends  at  home,  con 
taining  many  a  little  comfort  —  especially  grateful  to 
them  in  their  weariness,  and  making,  as  one  of  them 
says,  "no  small  record  in  a  soldiers  history.''  But  time 
was  precious,  and,  on  the  12th,  the  march  was  resumed, 
around  Sugar-loaf  Mountain,  through  Barnesville  and 
Oakland,  fording  the  Big  Monocacy  on  the  13th,  and 
encamping  near  Licksville.  Cannonading  was  heard 
upon  the  right,  and  the  reports  of  the  heavy  guns  came 
down  the  valley,  sounding  like  distant  peals  of  thunder. 
Up  and  on  the  road  again  at  daylight  on  the  14th,  the 
Regiment  marched  through  Adamstown,  crossed  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  and  went  into  camp  near 
Jefferson.  Cannonading  became  more  distinct  through 
the  day.  Fighting  was  going  on  at  three  distinct  points 
—  at  South  Mountain,  nine  miles  distant,  at  Burketts- 
ville,  where  the  advance  of  the  left  wing,  under  General 
Slocum,  was  engaging  the  enemy,  six  miles,  and  on  the 
extreme  left,  at  Harper's  Ferry,  twelve  miles  distant. 


112  SECOND   RHODE    ISLAND    VOLUNTEERS.        [Sept., 

As  the  troops  crossed  the  Kittoctan  Mountains,  the  battle 
field  on  the  right  and  in  front  came  into  view,  the 
movements  of  the  contending  armies  being  indistinctly 
seen  beneath  the  canopy  of  smoke  that  hung  over  the 
fray.  As  our  men  were  going  into  camp  at  Jefferson, 
orders  came  to  push  forward  at  once.  Leaving  their 
supper  half-cooked,  they  fell  into  the  ranks,  and  the 
column  again  advanced,  pressing  rapidly  through  the 
village,  and  hurrying  on  to  Burkettsville,  where  the 
command  arrived  about  midnight.  On  the  loth  the 
troops  passed  through  Burkettsville,  crossed  the  South 
Mountains  at  Crampton's  Pass,  and  encamped  in  Pleasant 
Valley. 

Firing  ceased  in  the  direction  of  Harper's  Ferry  on  the 
morning  of  the  15th,  by  which  General  Franklin  —  who 
was  in  command  of  the  movement  on  the  left,  to  Bur 
kettsville,  and  with  whose  corps,  the  Sixth,  Couch's 
division,  since  leaving  Alexandria,  had  been  acting  — 
rightly  judged  that  Colonel  Miles  had  surrendered.  A 
pretty  strong  force  of  the  enemy  was  still  in  front,  and 
Franklin  thought  it  not  wise  to  go  beyond  Pleasant 
Valley.  He  detached  Couch,  with  his  division,  and 
ordered  him  to  occupy  Maryland  Heights.  The  move 
ment  began  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  at  the  moment 
when  the  battle  of  Antietam  was  opening.  Of  course  it 
could  continue  but  a  short  time,  and  the  division  was 
soon  recalled,  marching  through  Brownsville.  The  Sec 
ond  was  engaged  with  the  brigade,  reconnoitring  the 
passes  of  Elk  Mountain,  to  prevent  any  movement  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry  upon  our  rear.  The  1st  and  2nd  divi 
sions  of  Franklin's  corps  participated  in  the  battle  to  some 
extent,  arriving  on  the  field  about  noon,  and,  at  an 
opportune  moment,  reinforcing  the  right  wing. 

Couch's  division,  after  a  long  and  fatiguing  march  of 


lsi';->.J  TIII:   MARY  LAN  i)  CAMPAIGN".  113 

28  miles  over  the  Elk  Mountain,  through  Aurora  and 
Locust  Grove,  went  into  camp,  in  the  evening,  about 
two  miles  in  the  rear  of  Burnside's  position.  The  move 
ment  had  been  harassing  in  the  extreme.  On  the  march 
and  the  countermarch,  all  day  within  hearing  of  the  guns,. 
and,  at  one  time,  while  crossing  the  mountains,  within 
sight  of  the  field,  yet  too  far  away  to  be  of  any  help  to 
their  comrades-in-arms,  our  men  regarded  the  situation  as 
somewhat  vexatious.  They  had  been  without  sufficient 
supplies  of  food  for  the  last  two  days,  and  were  hardly 
disposed  to  regard  the  aspect  of  affairs  with  complacency. 
They  hoped  for  an  opportunity  to  go  into  action  on  the 
18th,  when  they  were  brought  to  the  immediate  front, 
but  the  day  passed  quietly,  and,  on  the  following  morn 
ing,  when  an  advance  was  made,  it  was  found  that  the 
enemy's  main  body  had  evacuated  the  position,  and  made 
its  way  safely  across  the  river.  General  Couch  started  in 
pursuit,  and  had  a  little  skirmishing  with  General  Lee's 
rear-guard,  near  Williamsport,  on  the  20th.  On  the 
21st  no  enemy  was  in  sight,  and  the  Regiment  marched 
into  the  town  and  occupied  it  without  opposition. 

On  the  23rd  the  command  was  withdrawn  to  Downs- 
ville,  where  it  lay  until  the  18th  of  October,  with  no 
more  notable  event  than  a  review  by  President  Lincoln, 
on  the  3rd  of  that  month.  After  the  battle  of  Antietam 
General  Couch  had  been  promoted  to  the  command  of  a 
corps,  General  Devens  had  been  assigned  to  the  command 
of  the  division,  and  Colonel  Wheaton  to  the  command 
of  the  brigade. 

The  army  was  waiting  for  supplies,  which  came  very 
slowly.  No  clothing  had  been  issued  since  the  troops 
left  Harrison's  Landing,  and  happy  was  the  man  of  the 
Second  who  had  a  complete  suit.  "The  boys  are  as 
ragged  a  set  of  fellows,"  says  one  correspondent,  •'•"  as  any 
10* 


114  SECOND    RHODE    ISLAND    VoLl 'NTKKKS.          [Oct., 

tin  pedlar  ever  picked  up  in  his  travels."  Fortunatch. 
the  weather  was  bright  and  comparatively  warm,  and  but 
little  discomfort  was  experienced.  But  the  scantiness  of 
the  supplies  prevented  any  forward  movement,  and  it 
began  to  be  thought  that  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
would  be  kept  in  the  neighborhood,  until  the  winter  set 
in  and  rendered  any  further  operations  impractical >K'. 
It  is  almost  certain  that  General  McClellau,  at  this  time,, 
desired  to  remain  in  position,  reorganize,  and  relit, 
preparatory  to  a  campaign  in  the  spring.  The  president . 
on  the  other  hand,  desired,  and  even  commanded  active- 
operations,  yet  without  result.  GencralJ.  E.  B.  Stuart's 
raid  around  McClellan's  army,  from  Hancock,  by  way 
of  Chambersburg,  to  the  Potomac,  below  Hyattsto\\  n, 
October  10th-12th,  showed  what  a  daring  and  enter 
prising  officer  could  do,  in  penetrating  tin  undefended 
country,  with  a  light-armed  and  vapidly-moving  column. 
General  Howe's  brigade  of  Devens's  division  was  sent  t«> 
the  upper  waters  of  the  Potomac,  on  the  10th,  marched 
to  Clear  Spring,  and  there  remained.  On  the  18th 
another  alarm  came  down,  and  Colonel  Wheaton  started 
with  his  command,  about  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
marching  through  the  greater  part  of  the  night,  passing 
through  Williamsport,  fording  the  Conecocheague,  and 
arriving  at  Clear  Spring  about  2  o'clock  in  the  morning 
of  the  19th.  After  four  hours'  rest  the  column  pushed 
on  across  Sleepy  creek,  North  Mountain,  and  Conoloway 
creek,  to  Hancock,  arriving  about  4  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon.  The  Regiment  went  on  picket  duty  along  the 
canal,  until  midnight,  when  it  was  relieved,  and  went 
down  to  Cherry  Hun,  where  it  remained  for  a  day  or  two,, 
guarding  the  river.  On  the  22nd  it  forded  the  Potomac, 
supporting  a  cavalry  reconnoissance  on  the  Virginia  side. 
Jtecrossing  the  river,  on  the  23rd,  the  Regiment  re- 


lsi;->.]  TIII:  MAI; vi. AN i)  CAMPAIGN.  115 

mained  in  camp  until  the  26th,  when  it  marched  through 
Clear  Spring  to  \Villiamsport,  and,  on  the  39th,  returned 
to  Downsvillc.  It  seemed  like  coming  home,  and  the- 
men  believed  that  they  might  be  stationed  there  for  the 
winter.  But,  on  the  30th,  the  order  to  move  was 
received,  and,  on  the  31st,  the  command  broke  camp, 
marched  through  Bakersville,  crossed  the  Antietam,  and 
moved  through  Keedysville  to  Aurora.  On  the  1st  of 
November  it  moved  through  Pleasant  Valley,  across  the 
South  Mountain,  through  Burkettsville  to  Berlin,  where 
it  encamped.  During  the  next  two  days  the  men  re 
ceived  blankets,  shoes,  overcoats,  and  other  clothing  for 
a  winter  campaign,  and,  on  the  3rd,  the  Regiment 
crossed  the  Potomac  on  a  ponton  bridge,  into  Virginia, 
and,  marching  through  Lovettsville,  went  into  camp 
near  Wheatland.  After  the  return  of  the  brigade  from 
Hancock  a  reorganization  was  made,  by  which  General 
Devens  resumed  command.  General  W.  F.  Smith  was 
assigned  to  the  division",  which  was  permanently  incor 
porated  with  the  Sixth  Corps,  under  the  command  of 
General  Franklin. 

As  already  stated,  the  Regiment,  upon  the  organiza 
tion  of  the  army  corps,  was  assigned  to  the~  Fourth.  It 
was  selected,  with  another  infantry  regiment,  to  accom 
pany  Stoneman  in  his  rapid  march  up  the  Peninsula,  and 
was  thus  upon  detached  service.  Again,  it  was  connected 
with  the  Fifth  Provisional  Corps,  in  the  expedition  to 
Hanover  Court  House.  Still  again,  Couch's  division,  in 
its  march  into  Maryland,  was,  to  some  degree,  an  inde 
pendent  command,  as  the  remainder  of  the  Fourth  had 
been  left  at  Yorktown.  Xow,  and  henceforward,  until 
the  end  of  its  term  of  service,  the  Regiment  was  a  part  of 
the  Sixth  Corps.  At  the  time  of  the  occupation  of  the 
Peninsula,  General  Franklin  was  in  command  of  a  divi- 


116  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.        [Nov., 

Hion  of  the  First  Corps,  under  General  McDowell.  On 
the  22nd  of  April  Franklin's  division  reenforced  Mc- 
Clellair  s  army  in  front  of  Yorktown,  and,  on  the  7th  of 
Ma}7,  it  was  landed  at  West  Point,  with  a  division  of  the 
Fourth  Corps,  under  command  of  General  W.  F.  Smith. 
Soon  afterwards,  these  two  divisions  were  united,  under 
the  name  of  the  Sixth  Provisional  Corps,  with  Franklin 
in  command.  The  word  "  provisional "  was  simply  a  tem 
porary  appellation,  and,  as  the  Sixtli  Corps,  the  command 
soon  took  its  place  in  the  army.  It  made  a  fine  record 
for  itself,  a  part  of  which  will  be  found  upon  the  pages 
of  this  narrative.  The  Second  Rhode  Island  cherishes  a 
pardonable  pride  in  the  gallant,  and,  in  some  respects, 
brilliant  career  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  while  it  is  some  satis 
faction  to  know,  that  the  corps  commanders  have  always 
expressed  a  kindly  interest  in  the  fortunes  of  the  Regi 
ment,  and  have  spoken  of  its  deeds  with  warm  and  sin 
cere  approval. 


18G2.]  IN    VIRGINIA    AGAIN.  117 


I   ,\ 


CHAPTER   VIII 

IN   VIRGINIA   AGAIN. 


'HATEVER  may  have  been  the  object  of  Lee's 
invasion  of  Maryland,  the  result  of  it  cannot  be 
regarded  as  a  flattering  success  to  the  cause  of 
which  he  was  the  champion.  In  his  report  of  the  opera 
tions  of  his  army,  he  states  the  reasons  for  his  course. 
After  mentioning,  in  his  report,  the  withdrawal  of  our 
army  within  the  fortified  lines  around  Washington,  and 
the  advance  of  his  own  to  Leesburg,  General  Lee  goes 
on  to  say:  "The  war  was  thus  transferred  from  the 
interior  to  the  frontier,  and  the  supplies  of  rich  and 
productive  districts  made  accessible  to  our  army.  To 
prolong  a  state  of  affairs  in  every  way  desirable,  and  not 
to  permit  the  season  for  active  operations  to  pass  without 
endeavoring  to  inflict  further  injury  upon  the  enemy,  the 
best  course  appeared  to  be  the  transfer  of  the  army  into 
Maryland.  Although  not  properly  equipped  for  invasion, 
lacking  much  of  the  material  of  war,  and  feeble  in  trans 
portation,  the  troops  poorly  provided  with  clothing,  and 
thousands  of  them  destitute  of  shoes,  it  was  yet  believed 
to  l>e  strong  enough  to  detain  the  enemy  upon  the  north 
ern  frontier  until  the  approach  of  winter  should  render 


118  SK<  OXD   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Nov., 

liis  advance  into  Virginia  difficult,  if  not  impracticable. 

"The  condition  of  Maryland  encouraged  the  belief 
that  the  presence  of  our  army,  however  inferior  to  that 
of  the  enemy,  would  induce  the  Washington  government 
to  retain  all  its  available  force  to  provide  against  contin 
gencies  which  its  course  toward  the  people  of  that  state 
gave  it  reason  to  apprehend.  At  the  same  time,  it  was 
hoped,  that  military  success  might  afford  us  an  opportu 
nity  to  aid  the  citizens  of  Maryland,  in  any  efforts  they 
might  be  disposed  to  make  to  recover  their  liberty.  The 
difficulties  that  surrounded  them  were  fully  appreciated, 
and  AVC  expected  to  derive  more  assistance  in  the  attain 
ment  of  our  object,  from  the  just  fears  of  the  Washing 
ton  government,  than  from  any  active  demonstration  on 
the  part  of  the  people,  unless  success  should  enable  us  to 
give  them  assurance  of  continued  protection." 

The  objects  thus  contemplated  were  both  military  and 
political.  The  condition  of  their  attainment  was  success, 
and  success  was  wanting.  As  a  military  movement,  the 
operations  of  Lee  have  been  criticised  as  being  against 
i IK- best  military  judgment.  They  took  his  army  away 
from  its  base,  lengthened  and  weakened  his  lines  of 
communication,  and  transferred  it  from  a  friendly  to  a 
semi-hostile  territory.  They  also  forced  Lee  to  move 
upon  exterior  lines,  while  the  advantage  of  the  interior 
was  given  to  his  adversary.  Moreover,  reinforcements 
.•UK!  supplies  of  all  kinds  could  be  rapidly  thrown  into 
Maryland  from  the  north,  for  the  support  of  McClellan, 
while  Lee  himself  would  be  compelled  to  act  with  an 
independent  army,  deprived,  in  great  measure,  of  both. 
If  Lee  had  won  a  victory  at  Antietam  it  would  have  been 
temporary  and  barren.  For  there  was  no  permanent 
success  to  be  gained  in  that  quarter.  McClellan  would 
simply  have  been  obliged  to  retire  —  perhaps  no  farther 


1862.]  IX   VIRGINIA    AGAIX.  119 

than  the  mountains  —  and  await  the  coming  of  reinforce 
ments,  which  would  not  have  been  long  delayed. 

Politically,  the  movement  had  failed,  because,  in 
Western  Maryland,  there  was  but  little  sympathy  with 
the  invader  or  his  cause.  The  secession  element  was 
chiefly  limited  to  Baltimore  and  its  neighborhood.  The 
government  at  Richmond  was  deluded  by  the  glowing 
reports  of  those,  whose  lively  imagination  gave  a  coloring 
to  their  apprehension  of  the  facts.  Lee's  army  was  not 
received  with  anything  like  the  enthusiasm  which  was 
anticipated.  It  was  looked  upon  with  coldness  by  some, 
as  a  disturbance  to  their  quiet,  with  utter  hostility,  and 
even  detestation,  by  others,  who  regarded  it  as  an  enemy, 
fatal  to  the  peace  and  welfare  of  the  nation.  The  Union 
element  in  the  part  of  Maryland  traversed  by  Lee  and 
his  command  was  very  strong.  When  Jackson  entered 
Frederick,  he  was  received  with  comparative  silence. 
When  Burnside  entered  the  city,  he  was  greeted  with  a 
cordial  and  enthusiastic  welcome.  There  was  nothing 
personal  in  either  case.  The  two  men  were  only  known 
by  their  deeds  and  their  cause.  The  people  of  Maryland 
were  not  disposed  to  make  any  efforts  to  "recover  their 
liberty."  For  they  were  not  conscious  of  having  lost  it. 
They  had  more  to  fear  in  this  respect  from  the  govern 
ment  at  Richmond,  than  from  that  at  Washington.  And 
so  Lee  found  that  they  sought  no  protection  at  his 
hands.  The  battle  of  Antietam  might  have  seemed 
indecisive.  But  the  invasion  had  been  fruitless  to  the 
cause  of  the  rebellion.  The  loyal  people  of  the  country 
were  encouraged  by  seeing  the  army,  which  had  lately 
been  reported  as  demoralized  and  broken,  standing  firmly 
and  compactly  against  the  foe,  and  fairly  beating  him 
back  to  the  other  side  of  the  river  he  had  so  confidently 
crossed. 


120  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Nov.. 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  now  fairly  on  the 
march  again.  General  Lee  was  slowly  moving  up  the 
Shenandoah  Valley,  and  behind  the  Blue  Ridge,  keeping 
a  strict  watch  at  the  various  passes  and  gaps,  as  General 
McClellan's  columns  made  their  way  along.  "While  the 
mountains  were  between  the  two  armies  no  general  battle 
could  be  fought,  but  there  was  frequent  skirmishing 
between  cavalry  parties  and  artillery,  as  they  came  in 
contact  with  each  other  in  the  mountain  gaps  and  at  the 
cross  roads.  The  weather,  which  had  continued  mild 
and  favorable,  began  to  show  indications  of  approaching 
winter.  The  distribution  of  supplies  seems  not  to  have 
been  so  general,  or  so  well  organized,  as  to  give  to  all  a 
sufficiency  for  the  time  of  need.  Some  of  the  soldiers' 
journals  speak  of  the  want  of  shoes,  and  especially  of 
scanty  provision  of  food.  The  roads  were  difficult,  and 
the  lines  of  march  circuitous.  The  paymaster  was  a 
stranger,  and  the  president's  features,  as  they  appeared 
upon  the  national  currency,  were  almost  forgotten.  And 
so  the  army  toiled  on  for  a  week  or  more  —  still  in  good 
spirits,  and  elate  with  the  expectation  of  meeting  the 
enemy — until  the  10th  of  November,  when  it  was 
massed  in  and  around  Wairenton.  The  route  of  the 
Second  was  through  Phillemont  (4th),  Uniontown,  Up- 
perville  (5th),  White  Plains  (6th),  and  New  Baltimore 
(9th),  where  it  came  to  a  halt.  On  the  7th  occurred  the 
first  snow  storm  of  the  season  —  a  cold,  gloomy,  depress 
ing,  and  most  uncomfortable  experience! 

On  the  7th,  also,  came  down  an  order  from  Washing 
ton  to  headquarters,  relieving  General  McClellan  from 
command,  and  appointing  General  Burnside  to  his  place. 
It  was  not  a  welcome  order  to  either  of  the  two  officers. 
General  McClellan,  as  a  matter  of  course,  was  reluctant 
to  leave  the  army  which  he  had  organized,  and  which  he 


1862.]  IX   VIRGINIA    AGAIX.  121 

Imd  commanded  through  the  vicissitudes  of  its  experi 
ence.  General  Burnside  felt  that  he  was  a  comparative 
novice  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  naturally  shrank 
from  the  responsibility  of  so  large  a  command.  But  for 
months  the  country  had  been  clamorous  for  a  change. 
The  relations  between  Generals  Halleck  and  McClellan 
were  none  too  friendly,  and  Burnside — who  had  been 
offered  the  command  once  or  twice  before,  but  had 
declined  it  —  had  the  prestige  of  his  successes  in  North 
Carolina  in  his  favor.  The  attachment  of  the  army  to 
McClellan,  notwithstanding  the  failure  on  the  Peninsula, 
was  very  strong,  and  it  was  almost  like  parting  from  a  per 
sonal  friend.  But  to  the  honor  of  the  American  charac 
ter  be  it  said,  that  the  soldiers  accepted  the  situation, 
and  at  once  transferred  their  cordial  obedience  to  their 
new  leader.  They  knew  their  duty  too  well  to  express 
any  audible  discontent.  General  McClellan  issued  his 
farewell  order,  under  date  of  November  7th;  General 
Burnside  assumed  command  on  the  9th;  both  expressed 
sentiments  of  confidence  in  the  army,  and  a  patriotic 
devotion  to  the  cause  for  which  it  was  contending. 

The  army  lay  at  Warrenton  and  in  its  neighborhood 
from  the  9th  to  the  15th.  Meanwhile,  the  authorities  at 
Washington  were  deliberating  upon  General  Burnside's 
proposed  plan  of  operations.  It  was  sent  to  Washington 
on  the  10th,  was  discussed  by  Generals  Burnside  and 
Halleck,  at  a  personal  interview  at  Warrenton,  on  the 
night  of  the  12th  and  a  part  of  the  day  on  the  13th,  and 
was  approved  by  President  Lincoln  on  the  14th.  "The 
plan,  in  brief,  was  to  demonstrate  toward  Culpepper,  and 
then  to  make  a  rapid  march  to  Falmouth,  to  cross  the 
Rappahannock  upon  pontons  at  that  place,  to  seize 
Fredericksburg  and  the  heights  beyond,  and  to  establish 
-a  temporary  base  of  supplies  at  Acquia  Creek.  The 
11 


122  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Nov., 

movement  beyond  Fredericksburg  was  to  be  a  matter  for 
subsequent  consideration.  But  it  was  in  General  Burn- 
side's  mind  to  push  immediately  on  toward  Richmond 
upon  the  roads  leading  through  Spottsylvania  Court 
House,  Bowling  Green  and  the  villages  beyond;  have 
supplies  in  waiting  at  York  river,  then  cross  the  Peninsula 
rapidly  to  the  James  river,  and,  with  that  for  a  base, 
inarch  directly  upon  the  city  of  his  destination."*  Such 
a  plan  appeared  sufficiently  promising,  and,  immedi 
ately  upon  its  approval,  General  Burnside  put  his  com 
mand  in  motion.  The  army  was  reorganized  in  three 
<rrand  divisions,  the  right,  left,  and  centre,  respectively 
under  command  of  Generals  Sumner,  Franklin,  and 
Hooker. 

The  advance,  under  General  Sumner,  started  at  day 
light  on  the  15th,  and  reached  Falmouth  on  the  17th. 
But  there  were  no  pontons  ready  for  the  troops  to  cross 
the  river,  and  there  was  no  intelligence  of  any.  In  fact, 
the  pontons,  that  were  to  go  by  land,  did  not  start  from 
Washington  till  the  19th,  were  mired  on  the  road,  were 
finally  towed  from  the  mouth  of  the  Occoquan  to  Belle 
Plain,  and  arrived  at  headquarters  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  25th.  The  pontons  that  went  by  water  arrived  at 
Belle  Plain  on  the  18fch,  but  no  wagons  were  sent  with 
them,  and  they  could  not  be  moved.  Thus  was  General 
Burnside's  plan  frustrated  at  the  outset,  for  the  fords  of 
the  Rappahannock  were  impracticable  for  crossing  artil 
lery,  and  the  army  was  suddenly  stopped  on  its  way.  In 
the  mean  time,  General  Lee  moved  his  army,  and,  on  the 
22nd,  four  days  after  Sumner's  arrival  at  Falmouth,  his 
advance  —  Longstreet's  corps  —  appeared  in  force  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river.  He  quietly  occupied  and 

*Burnsiclc  and  the  Ninth  Army  Corps,  pp.  182,  256. 


1862.]  IX    VIRGINIA    AGAIN-. 

fortified  the  heights  hehind  Frederick sburg,  and  effect 
ually  barred  the  road  to  Richmond  in  that  direction. 

The  Regiment  belonged  to  the  left  grand  division, 
under  General  Franklin,  and  started  upon  the  road  on 
the  16th.  It  crossed  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  railroad 
at  Catlett's,  forded  Cedar  Run,  and  encamped  on  the 
other  side.  The  march  continued  through  the  17th 
and  18th,  and,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  latter  day,  the 
Regiment  went  into  camp  near  Staiford  Court  House, 
where  it  remained  until  December  4th.  Picket  duty, 
guarding  the  telegraph,  the  daily  drill  and  the  usual 
camp  routine  sufficed  to  occupy  the  time.  The  weather 
became  uncertain,  variable  and  productive  of  great  dis 
comfort.  Supplies  were  scanty,  snow  and  rain  were 
abundant,  and  the  roads  were  almost  impassable.  The 
prospect  was  not  especially  encouraging.  Yet  the  men 
were  in  good  spirits,  the  new  organization  was  getting 
into  working  order,  and  the  commanding  general  was 
hopeful.  After  December  had  opened,  there  was  aii 
interval  of  a  little  milder  temperature,  and,  on  the  4th, 
General  Franklin's  command  was  moved  to  the  extreme 
left  of  our  line.  The  Regiment  encamped,  on  the  5th, 
near  White  Oak  Church,  about  five  miles  below  Fal- 
mouth.  On  the  7th  came  on  a  severe  storm,  with 
piercing  cold  weather,  leaving  a  depth  of  three  inches  of 
snow  upon  the  ground.  Milder  weather  followed,  and 
the  snow  disappeared,  but  the  incident  was  an  indication 
of  what  was  to  be  expected  in  a  Virginia  winter.  As  the 
season  advanced,  however,  the  temperature,  although 
still  cold,  became  steadier,  and  was  not  excessively 
uncomfortable.  General  Burnside,  having  deliberated 
upon  a  plan,  which  promised  to  force  the  enemy  from 
his  works  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  prepared  to 
put  it  into  execution.  He  relied  upon  his  subordinate 


124  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Dec., 

generals,  and  felt  sure  of  the  support  of  his  troops. 
Meanwhile  his  pontons  had  arrived  from  above,  and 
abundant  means  of  transportation  were  provided  for 
crossing  the  army.  But  the  delay  had  endangered  the 
success  of  the  movement.  Had  the  pontons  been  ready 
when  Sumner  arrived  at  Falmouth — a  day  and  a  half 
before  Longstreet  started  for  Fredericksburg  —  Burnside 
would  have  put  his  army  across  the  Rappahannock  with 
out  serious  opposition.  But  now,  the  crest  of  the  hill 
"beyond  Fredericksburg  was  lined  with  earthworks,  and 
frowned  with  cannon. 

Had  the  opportunity  wholly  passed  ?  Burnside  thought 
not.  A  strong  movement  in  heavy  force  might  be  made 
upon  the  right  of  the  enemy's  position,  which  was  the 
weakest  part  of  his  line,  and,  if  made  promptly  and 
vigorously,  very  favorable  results  might  be  expected.  At 
all  events,  Burnside  did  not  think  that  he  was  put  in 
command  merely  to  place  the  army  in  winter  quarters. 
Even  if  the  failure  of  his  pontons  brought  disappoint 
ment  to  his  plans,  and  baffled  his  designs  at  the  start, 
there  was  still  a  hope  that  something  worthy  of  the- 
cause  might  be  done  with  the  large  army  at  his  disposal. 
McClellan  speaks, .  in  his  report,  of  his  deprivation  of 
command  at  a  time,  when  he  was  following  "  the  retreat 
ing  foe  to  a  position,  where  he  was  confident  of  decisive 
victory."  "  The  army  also  was  in  "excellent  condition  to 
fight  a  great  battle."  General  Burnside  felt  that  his  duty 
to  the  country  demanded  action. 


1S62.]  FREDERICKSBURG. 


CHAPTER    IX 

FREDERICKSBURG. 


Burnside's  plan  of  the  battle  of  Fredericks- 
T"f  burg  contemplated  a  crossing  of  the  Rappahannock 
HI,  by  the  army,  an  attack  upon  the  right  of  the  enemy's 
line  at  Hamilton's  Crossing,  by  the  left  wing,  under 
Franklin,  who  was  expected  to  push  vigorously  up  the 
old  Richmond  road.  This,  if  successful,  would  give  our 
troops  a  favorable  position  for  taking  the  enemy's  bat 
teries  in  reverse,  and  forcing  an  evacuation  of  the  whole 
line.  As  this  movement  developed  itself,  the  right  wing, 
under  General  Sumner,  supported  by  General  Hooker, 
having  crossed  the  river  immediately  opposite  the  town. 
was  to  advance  up  the  telegraph  and  plank  roads,  and 
complete  the  dislodgement  of  the  enemy  from  the 
heights.  As  preliminary,  the  bridges  must  be  laid,  and 
the  troops  put  across  the  river.  On  the  10th  of  December 
the  army  was  concentrated  along  or  near  the  river  front, 
concealed,  as  much  as  possible,  among  the  woods  and  in 
the  hollows  of  the  land.  The  artillery  was  posted,  so  as 
to  command  the  town,  and  to  cover  the  laying  of  the 
bridges. 

The  morning  of  the  llth  was  cold  and  foggy.     The 
11* 


12G  SECOND   RHODE    ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec., 

artillery  was  in  position,  the  pontons  were  at  the  river 
bank,  the  corps  of  engineers  was  ready  to  moor  the  boats 
and  lay  the  bridges.     On,the  other  side,  scattered  among 
the  houses,  and  along  the  river  bank,  at  sheltered  points, 
was  posted  a  brigade  of  Mississippians  —  sharp-shooters, 
every  one  sure  of  his  man.     Supporting  them  were  the- 
8th  Florida  and  the  3rd  Georgia  regiments  of  infantry. 
The  largest  part  of  these  troops  was  established  in  the 
town  itself.     One   regiment,  the   18th  Mississippi,  was 
sent  down  to  the  point  in  front  of  Franklin's  position, 
near  the  month  of  Deep  Run,  about  two  miles  below  the 
town,  where  the  left  grand  division  was  to  cross.     With 
commendable  promptness,  Franklin's  engineers  did  their 
work,  interrupted  somewhat  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy, 
but,  nevertheless,  completing  the  laying  of  the  bridges 
there  ordered,  by  noon.     No  troops  were  crossed,  but  the 
bridges  were  held,  awaiting  the  operations  above.     These 
were  not  so   successful  as  had  been  anticipated.     The 
engineer  officer  in   charge,  General   D.   P.  AVoodbury, 
twice  reported  his  inability  to  build  the  bridges.     Not 
withstanding  a  very  severe  cannonade,  which  began  early 
in  the  morning,  and  continued  through  the  greater  part 
of   the    day,    destroying   several   houses   and   setting   a 
portion  of  the  city  on  fire,  the  Mississippi  riflemen  held 
their  places,  in  the  uninjured  buildings  and  behind  the 
garden   fences  and  walls.     They  would  allow  our  men 
to  build  about  two-thirds  of  the  bridges,  and  then  opened 
upon  them  a  deliberate,  deadly  fire.     At  noon  the  fog 
lifted,  giving  the  riflemen  a  better  aim.     Could  nothing' 
be  done  to  expel  these  obstinate  men?    General  Burn- 
side  went  down  to  the  river  side,  and  consulted  with  his 
chief  of  artillery,  General  II.  J.  Hunt.     He  called  for 
volunteers  to  cross  in  boats.     Men  from  five  regiments  — 
the  8th  Michigan,  19th  and  20th   Massachusetts,  50th 


1862.]  FRI:I>I-:RICKSBUIM;. 

and  89th  Xow  York  —  immediately  responded.  Tliey 
rushed  to  the  boats,  pushed  them  off,  rowed  themselves 
across  amid  the  storm  of  death,  landed,  eagerly  charged 
through  the  streets  and  the  rifle-pits,  drove  out  or  cap- 
nuvd  the  gallant  Mississippians,  and,  in  half  an  hour's 
time,  took  and  occupied  the  town.  The  bridges  were- 
finally  completed  and  made  ready  for  crossing  the  troops. 
It  was  now  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  short 
winter  day  was  drawing  to  an  end.  Nothing  more  could 
be  done  than  to  throw  over  a  sufficient  number  of  men  to 
hold  the  bridge-heads,  and  guard  against  a  night  attack. 
Down  at  Franklin's  bridges  the  men  had  been  waiting, 
as  patiently  as  possible,  for  the  somewhat  dilatory  move 
ments  of  the  right  wing  above.  As  soon  as  word  came 
that  Sunnier  had  finished  his  work,  preparations  were 
made  for  crossing.  Who  should  take  the  lead?  General 
IK'vens's  brigade  was  selected.  It  was  the  right  of 
Newton's  division.  The  Second  was  on  the  right  of  the- 
brigade,  the  post  of  danger,  as  well  as  of  honor.  It 
left  camp  about  3  o'clock  in  the  morning,  marched  a 
mile,  rested  till  daylight,  moved  on  rapidly  for  four  or 
five  miles,  down  to  the  river  bank,  and  there  stacked 
arms,  awaiting  the  course  of  events.  The  Mississippi 
regiment  before  mentioned  was  on  the  opposite  side, 
watching  closely  the  movements  of  our  men,  and  pre 
pared  to  greet  them  with  a  volley  or  two,  on  their 
approach.  The  time  had  come  for  crossing.  Captain 
Read  was  directed  to  take  his  company  (I)  and  two 
others,  for  the  advance.  He  chose  Companies  B,  Captain 
Young,  and  K,  Captain  Shaw,  and  Colonel  Whcaton 
accordingly  ordered  them  upon  the  honorable  duty. 
Eager  to  obey,  down  they  go  to  the  bridge,  Read  leading, 
then  Shaw,  then  Young,  with  the  whole  division  looking 
on  approvingly.  They  take  the  bridge  at  a  double-quick. 


128  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec., 

rush  across  with  a  cheer  and  a  yell,  deploy  on  the  instant 
of  reaching  the  other  side,  and  charge  gallantly  up  the 
river  bank.  The  rest  of  the  Regiment  follow.  It  was  a 
brave  deed  bravely  done,  and  the  advance  companies 
received  a  good  deal  of  praise  from  Devens,  Newton,  and 
other  generals. 

There  were  a  few  shots  to  encounter  upon  the  bridge, 
but  there  was  no  serious  opposition  till  the  Regiment  had 
got  up  the  bank,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the 
river,  when  the  Mississippians  opened  upon  our  men 
from  behind  a  huge  hay-stack.  It  did  not  take  a  great 
while  to  dislodge  them,  and  the  lines  were  established, 
with  a  bend  of  the  river  upon  either  flank.  One  man  in 
Company  I  and  one  in  B  were  wounded,  but  K  escaped 
without  a  scratch,  although  the  bullets  are  spoken  of  as 
coming  pretty  lively  for  a  time.  Three  of  the  enemy 
were  found  dead  upon  the  field.  The  remainder  of  the 
brigade  followed  the  Regiment,  and  made  good  the  cross 
ing.  The  engineers  secured  and  strengthened  the  bridge 
heads,  and  improved  the  approaches,  that  there  might  be 
no  delay  for  the  morrow's  operations.  So  much  time  had 
been  occupied,  as  to  give  General  Lee  ample  opportunity 
to  arrange  for  the  concentration  of  his  army.  On  our 
side,  General  Sumner  sent  over  a  division  of  the  Second 
Corps  and  a  brigade  of  the  Ninth,  to  occupy  the  town. 
Pickets  were  thrown  out,  and  the  troops  rested  on  their 
arms.  On  the  left,  the  Regiment,  witli  the  7th  Massa 
chusetts  in  reserve,  stood  picket  through  the  night,  with 
out  relief.  The  fog  crept  up  the  river  and  settled  damp 
and  dense  in  the  valley. 

During  the  12th  the  remainder  of  General  Franklin's 
grand  division  crossed  at  the  lower  bridges.  The  enemy's 
batteries  on  the  hills  got  the  range,  and  sent  some  shells 
down  among  our  men.  Our  own  batteries  on  the  Fal- 


18G2.J  FREDERICKSBURO. 

mouth  heights  responded,  the  projectiles  flying,  with 
horrid  scream,  through  the  air  above  the  ranks.  General 
Sumner  sent  across  the  rest  of  the  right  grand  division,, 
to  occupy  the  town,  and  General  Hooker,  from  the  centre, 
moved,  without  crossing,  the  Fifth  Corps  and  one  division 
of  the  Third,  to  the  support  of  Sumner,  and  the  other 
two  divisions  of  the  Third  to  the  support  of  Franklin. 
There  were  considerable  artillery  firing  and  infantry 
skirmishing,  but  the  crossing  was  made  without  serious 
molestation,  and  the  town  was  fully  occupied.  General 
Franklin  was  the  only  grand  division  commander,  whose- 
headquarters  were  across  the  river.  He  occupied  Mr. 
Bernard's  house  at  Mansfield,  about  half  a  mile  below 
the  bridges.  General  Burnside,  during  the  day,  visited 
the  several  points  along  the  lines,  and  conferred  with  his 
corps  and  grand  division  commanders,  in  preparation  for 
the  morrow's  struggle,  returning  to  his  headquarters  on 
the  Falmouth  side,  at  a  late  hour.  Under  General 
Franklin's  immediate  command  were  very  nearly  60,000 
men.  Every  preparation  was  made  for  a  severe  contest, 
and  the  indications  clearly  pointed  to  our  left,  as  the- 
place  for  the  delivery  of  the  main  attack. 

General  Burnside  issued  his  orders  at  6  o'clock  on  the 
morning  of  the  13th:  —  to  General  Franklin,  to  send  "a 
division,  at  least,"  to  seize  the  heights  near  Hamilton's, 
"taking  care  to  keep  it  well  supported,  and  its  line  of 
retreat  open,"  and  to  have  his  entire  "  command  in  readi 
ness  for  a  rapid  movement  down  the  old  Richmond  road  "; 
to  General  Sumner,  to  have  his  command  ready  to  move 
up  the  telegraph  and  plank  roads,  to  seize  the  heights 
upon  the  enemy's  left,  but  to  suspend  decisive  action  till 
personally  directed  by  the  commanding  general.  In  other 
words,  General  Franklin  was  to  attack  the  enemy's  posi 
tion  at  Hamilton's  Crossing,  and,  as  soon  as  that  move- 


130  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec., 

ment  was  fully  developed,  General  Sumner  was  to  attack 
the  position  commanding  the  plank  and  telegraph  roads. 
General  Burnside  thus  hoped  to  clear  away  the  obstruc 
tions  in  his  front,  drive  out  the  enemy,  and  force  him  to 
retreat  upon  his  communications  with  Richmond. 

General  J.  F.  Reynolds's  corps  —  the  First  —  was  the 
nearest  to  the  "old  Richmond  road,"  and  at  9  o'clock, 
by  Franklin's  orders,  he  sent  out  a  division  to  move  to 
Hamilton's.  It  was  the  division  of  "  Pennsylvania  Re 
serves,"  so  called,  under  the  command  of  General  George 
G.  Meade.  General  Gibbon's  division  followed  in  sup 
port.  The  first  advance,  however,  was  principally  for 
the  purpose  of  gaining  a  position,  to  enable  Franklin  to 
unfold  his  line,  and  at  11  o'clock,  Meade  had  advanced 
about  half  a  mile,  clearing  away,  in  his  progress,  the 
artillery  more  immediately  opposed  to  him,  and  the 
enemy's  skirmishers.  At  12  o'clock  he  started  forward, 
with  great  spirit  and  vigor.  He  crossed  the  plateau,  and 
disappeared  within  the  woods.  The  sharp  crack  of  his 
rifles,  the  rattle  of  musketry,  the  roar  of  the  cannon,  the 
clouds  of  smoke  rising  through  and  above  the  trees,  were 
the  evidences  of  his  steady  and  gallant  attack.  The 
spectators  on  the  river  bank  were  glad  to  see,  that  the 
column  was  advancing.  Across  the  railroad,  up  the 
heights,  through  the  enemy's  first  line,  close  up  to  the 
second,  breaking  to  pieces  every  thing  in  its  path,  went 
the  brave  Pennsylvania  division. 

Let  General  Lee  tell  the  story  of  its  progress:  "  Three 
compact  lines  of  infantry  advanced  against  Hill's  front. 
They  were  received  by  our  batteries,  by  whose  fire  they 
were  momentarily  checked,  but,  soon  recovering,  they 
pressed  forward,  until,  coming  within  range  of  our 
infantry,  the  contest  became  fierce  and  bloody.  Archer 
and  Lane  repulsed  those  portions  of  the  line  immediately 


1862.]  FREDERICKSBURG.  131 

in  front  of  them;  but,  before  the  interval  between  these 
commands  could  be  closed,  the  enemy  pressed  through  in 
overwhelming  numbers,  and  turned  the  left  of  Archer 
and  the  right  of  Lane.  Attacked  in  front  and  flank,  two 
regiments  of  the  former  and  the  brigade  of  the  latter, 
after  a  brave  and  obstinate  resistance,  gave  way.  Archer 
held  his  line  with  the  1st  Tennessee,  and,  with  the  5th 
Alabama  battalion,  assisted  by  the  47th  Virginia  and  the 
22nd  Virginia  battalion,  continued  the  struggle  until  the 
arrival  of  reinforcements.  Thomas  came  gallantly  to  the 
relief  of  Lane,  and,  joined  by  the  7th  and  part  of  the 
18th  North  Carolina,  repulsed  the  column  that  had 
broken  Lane's  line,  and  drove  it  back  to  the  railroad. 
In  the  mean  time,  a  large  force  had  penetrated  the  wood 
as  far  as  Hill's  reserve,  and  encountered  Gregg's  brigade. 
The  attack  was  so  sudden  and  unexpected,  that  Orr's 
rifles,  mistaking  the  enemy  for  our  own  troops  retiring, 
were  thrown  into  confusion.  While  in  the  act  of  rallying 
them,  General  Maxcy  Grey  fell,  mortally  wounded." 
Thus  gallantly  had  General  Meade  done  the  work  as 
signed  him.  He  had  even  driven  his  attacking  columns 
through  to  the  enemy's  reserves.  But,  without  strong 
support,  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  hold  the  advantage 
he  had  gained,  or  push  it  forward  to  better  results. 

Now  was  the  time  for  the  "rapid  movement"  of 
Franklin's  command.  It  was  half-past  1  o'clock,  and 
the  enemy's  right  wing,  recovering  from  the  surprise 
which  Meade's  bold  attack  had  caused,  began  to  close 
around  his  division.  If  he  had  been  largely  reenforced 
then,  General  Meade  thought  he  "could  have  held  the 
plateau,  and  the  result  of  the  operations  there  would  have 
been  different  from  what  they  were.  Had  the  Pennsyl 
vania  Reserves  been  followed  and  supported  by  other 
troops,  their  courage  that  day  would  have  won  a  victory. " 


132  SECOND    KIIODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec., 

But,  with  50,000  men  behind  him,  he  could  not  get  the 
full  support  he  needed.  Gibbon's  division  went  to  help 
him,  but  it  was  not  enough,  and,  after  an  unavailing 
struggle  of  another  hour,  in  which  Gibbon  was  wounded, 
lie  was  forced  to  retire.  Our  men,  standing  on  the  plain 
below,  saw  their  comrades  returning  in  some  disorder, 
find  with  many  losses,  but  they  could  do  but  little  more 
than  look  on.  One  or  two  divisions  advanced  a  short 
distance,  to  receive  and  cover  the  broken  columns.  Gen- 
vral  Burnside's  repeated  orders  to  General  Franklin  to 
advance  his  command  had  been  either  disregarded,  or  but 
j initially  obeyed,  in  a  languid  and  hesitating  manner. 
_M cade's  brilliant  charge  was  almost  the  only  redeeming 
feature  of  the  operations  on  our  left.  When,  at  half- 
past  1,  Burnside  sent  peremptory  orders,  Franklin  did 
not  choose  to  regard  them.  General  Jackson,  command 
ing  the  enemy's  right,  even  thought  of  making  a  counter- 
attack,  and,  in  the  course  of  the  afternoon,  made  some 
threatening  demonstrations  against  the  position  of  the 
Sixth  Corps  and  the  batteries,  which  were  quickly  re 
pulsed.  But,  with  some  artillery  practice  on  both  sides, 
and  desultory  musketry  firing,  the  day  wore  off,  and  the 
darkness  of  the  night  closed  around  the  scene.  The 
Regiment  had  no  fighting  to  do  that  day.  But  it  had  to 
<4and  and  receive  fire,  toward  the  latter  part  of  the  after 
noon,  suffering  a  loss  of  7  men  wounded.  "  The  shell 
and  spherical  case  are  dropping  around  us  like  hail," 
writes  an  officer  in  his  diary,  about  sunset. 

On  the  right  and  centre  of  our  lines,  from  noon  till 
night,  there  was  severe  and  even  desperate  fighting,  yet  to 
but  little  purpose  or  result.  The  enemy  was  very  strongly 
posted  and  fortified.  His  position  was  attacked  by 
Couch's  Second  Corps  and  Butterfield's  Fifth  Corps,  on 
the  right,  and  Willcox's  Ninth  Corps,  in  the  centre,  but 


FREDEKICKSBUKC;.  133 

all  to  no  avail.  The  troops  advanced  with  great  gal 
lantry,  and  fought  bravely,  but  could  make  no  impression 
on  the  enemy's  works.  The  stone  wall  that  bounded  the 
telegraph  road  was  like  the  wall  of  a  fortification.  The 
redoubts  that  commanded  the  plain  could  sweep  it  in 
all  directions  with  their  guns.  "Six  different  times," 
says  General  Lee,  in  his  report,  was  the  attempt  made  to 
carry  the  position,  and  our  men  pressed  on  "with  great 
determination,  to  within  one  hundred  yards  of  the  foot 
of  the  hill."  But  the  fire  was  too  deadly,  and  our  col 
umns  recoiled  from  the  attack  before  the  enemy's  cannon 
and  musketry,  well  sheltered  *  by  banks  of  earth  and 
stone.  On  this  field  of  carnage  were  three  regiments 
from  Rhode  Island,  the  Fourth,  Seventh,  and  Twelfth 
Infantry,  and  six  batteries  of  the  First  Light  Artillery  — 
A,  B,  C,  D,  G,  and  H.  They  distinguished  themselves 
in  the  battle,  suffering  considerably,  both  in  officers  and 
men.  Over  all  the  field  there  was  determined  and  fear 
less  fighting,  but  the  valor  of  the  troops  was  unavailing. 
Never  before  had  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  attacked  the 
enemy's  fortifications,  with  greater  resolution  and  a  more 
conspicuous  bravery.  It  was  a  sad  repulse,  and  the  night 
shut  down  upon  the  ensanguined  slopes,  strewn  with 
dead  and  wounded  men. 

General  Burnside  desired  to  renew  the  battle  upon  the 
following  day,  and  made  his  dispositions  accordingly. 
But  the  enemy  could  not  be  drawn  out  of  his  entrench 
ments,  and  it  was  deemed  useless  to  attempt  to  carry 
them  by  storm.  There  was  considerable  skirmishing  at 
different  points,  with  a  few  casualties.  But  the  day 
passed  without  notable  incident.  The  severely  wounded 
were  carried  across  the  river.  The  next  day,  the  15th, 
was  spent  in  the  same  manner.  A  part  of  the  dead  were 
buried,  and  the  wounded  removed  and  cared  for.  A  cold 
12 


134  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec., 

rain  storm  set  in,  and,  during  the  following  night,  Gen- 
oral  Burnside  silently  withdrew  his  entire  army,  without 
further  loss  of  men  or  material,  across  the  Rappahan- 
nock.  The  bridges  were  taken  up,  and  the  weary  soldiers, 
who  had  spent  the  wintry  nights  in  bivouac,  as  best  they 
could,  returned  to  their  former  camps.  The  last  regi 
ment  but  one  to  cross  on  Franklin's  bridges  was  the 
Second  Rhode  Island. 

A  few  weeks  later — the  weather  continuing  favorable 
—  General  Burnside  made  another  attempt  to  cross  the 
Ruppahannock,  and  bring  General  Lee  to  battle  a  second 
time.  Careful  examinations  were  made,  both  above  and 
below  Fredericksburg,  and  it  was  finally  decided  to  cross 
51 1  Banks's  and  United  States  Fords.  A  demonstration 
was  made  at  Port  Royal,  to  draw  the  enemy's  forces  down 
the  river,  and,  on  the  20th  of  January,  1863,  the  army 
moved  out  of  camp  for  the  upper  fords.  Everything 
was  bright  and  promising  in  the  morning,  but  at  noon 
the  face  of  the  sky  changed.  Clouds  gathered  rapidly 
and  thickly,  and  at  nightfall  a  furious  storm  beat  piti 
lessly  upon  the  troops,  in  bivouac  near  Banks's  Ford. 
It  continued  through  the  night,  through  the  next  day. 
The  roads  were  soon  a  mass  of  mud  and  mire.  The 
artillery,  the  wagons,  the  pontons,  the  horses  and  men 
were  brought  to  a  complete  stand.  It  "was  useless,  it  was 
impossible,  to  proceed  further.  It  was  decided  to  aban 
don  the  attempt,  and  the  army  struggled  back  to  Fal- 
mouth  on  the  22nd,  and  there  went  into  winter  quarters. 
On  the  25th  of  January  General  Burnside  was  relieved  of 
the  command,  and  General  Joseph  Hooker  was  appointed 
in  his  place.  At  the  same  time  Generals  Franklin  and 
Sumner  were  relieved,  and  the  organization  of  the  army 
in  grand  divisions  was  abolished. 

General  Burnside,  in  taking  leave  of  the  Army  of  the 


1862.]  FREDERICKSBURG.  135 

Potomac,  issued  an  order,  the  spirit  of  which  may  be 
understood  by  the  following  extract:  "The  short  time 
that  he  has  directed  your  movements  has  not  been  fruit 
ful  of  victory,  or  any  considerable  advancement  of  our 
lines,  but  it  has  again  demonstrated  an  amount  of 
courage,  patience,  and  endurance,  that,  under  more 
favorable  circumstances,  would  have  accomplished  great 
results.  Continue  to  exercise  these  virtues,  be  true  in 
your  devotion  to  your  country  and  the  principles  you 
have  sworn  to  maintain,  give  to  the  brave  and  skillful 
general,  who  has  so  long  been  identified  with  your  organi 
zation,  and  who  is  now  to  command  you,  your  full  and 
cordial  support  and  cooperation,  and  you  will  deserve 
success.  His  prayers  are,  that  God  may  be  with  yon, 
and  grant  you  continual  success,  until  the  rebellion 
is  crushed."  In  this  generous  and  loyal  spirit,  General 
Burnside  transferred  his  abilities  to  other  fields  of  service, 
where  they  won  for  him  a  merited  distinction. 


136  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec., 


CHAPTER    X. 

CHANGES   AND   COMPLICATIONS. 


J^OLONEL  Wheaton  was  promoted  to  brigadier-general 
T ")  of  volunteers,  November  29th,  1862,  and  he  received 
'  his  commission  on  the  Held  of  Fredericksburg.  He 
entered  the  regular  army  as  first  lieutenant  of  the  1st 
Cavalry,  March  3rd,  1855,  and  was  assigned  to  service  on 
the  Plains,  under  Colonel  E.  V.  Sumner.  He  was  pro 
moted  to  captain,  March  1st,  1861.  From  the  regular 
army  he  came  directly  to  the  Regiment,  and  the  service 
he  rendered  has  already  been  fully  recorded.  After 
leaving  the  Regiment  he  commanded  a  brigade  in  the 
Sixth  Corps,  and  was  actively  engaged,  with  the  corps, 
in  the  various  battles  and  campaigns  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  until  transferred  to  the  Valley  of  the  Shenan- 
doah,  in  the  summer  of  1864.  At  the  battle  of  Win 
chester,  September  19th  of  that  year,  he  was  assigned  to 
the  command  of  a  division.  A  month  later,  on  the  19th 
of  October,  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek  was  fought,  in 
which  his  service  was  so  faithfully  and  gallantly  per 
formed,  as  to  merit  the  special  notice  and  commendation 
of  General  Sheridan,  and  to  win  the  brevet  of  major- 
general  of  volunteers. 

In  the  regular  army  General  Wheaton's  promotion  was 
rapid.     lie   was   advanced   to  the  majority  of  the  2nd 


1862.]  CHAN<;I-:>  AND  COMPLICATION-.  137 

Cavalry,  November  5th,  1863;  brevetted  lieutenant-col 
onel,  for  distinguished  service  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilder 
ness,  May  5th,  1864;  colonel,  for  gallantry  at  Cold 
Harbor,  June  3rd;  brigadier-general,  for  conspicuous 
merit  in  the  successful  assault  of  Petersburg,  April  2nd, 
1865;  and  major-general,  as  a  recognition  of  his  gallant 
and  skillful  defence  of  Washington,  when  attacked  by 
General  Early,  July  12th,  1864.  At  the  close  of  the  war 
he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  military  dis 
trict  including  the  territories  of  Nebraska,  Dakota,  and 
Montana.  Upon  the  increase  of  the  regular  army,  he 
was  promoted  to  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  29th  Infantry, 
July  28th,  1866,  and  has  been  engaged  in  service  in  the 
extreme  west.  During  the  campaign  against  the  Modocs, 
in  the  early  part  of  1873,  he  was  in  command  of  a  por-. 
tion  of  the  troops  engaged  in  the  punishment  of  that 
tierce  and  murderous  tribe.  General  Wheaton  received 
the  thanks  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island, 
and  a  gift  of  a  sword  from  the  state,  by  resolution, 
passed  March  16th,  1865.  He  was  honored  by  Brown 
University,  at  its  commencement  in  the  same  year,  with 
the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts. 

General  Wheaton's  association  with  the  Regiment  had 
been  productive  of  the  kindest  feelings  on  both  sides. 
As  a  commanding  officer  he  had  secured  the  esteem  and 
even  affection  of  his  officers  and  men.  They  regarded 
him  with  great  respect  for  his  qualities  as  a  soldier,  his 
courageous  and  steadiness  of  bearing  in  action,  his  firm 
discipline,  and  his  evident  desire  to  put  the  Regiment  in 
the  front  rank  of  military  reputation.  They  appreciated 
his  considerateness  and  the  care  he  exercised  over  them, 
well  knowing,  as  they  did,  that  a  firm  hand,  both  to 
guide  and  restrain,  is  always  the  best  and  kindest  treat 
ment.  Some  officers  were  apt  to  worry  their  commands, 
12* 


138  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec., 

by  enforcing  obedience  to  harsh  and  unnecessary  orders. 
On  the  other  hand,  there  were  some  who  erred  in  the 
other  direction,  indulging  their  men  until  all  discipline 
was  lost.  In  Colonel  Wheaton's  administration  there 
was  no  indulgence.  Nor  was  there  undue  severity.  But 
every  man  in  the  Regiment  knew,  that  the  man  who  was 
at  its  head  understood  how  to  hold  the  reins  of  command. 
Thus  it  happened,  that  a  very  sincere  respect  and 
attachment  grew  up  in  the  Regiment  toward  its  com 
mander.  The  officers  appreciated  the  diligence,  with 
which  he  instructed  the  command  in  the  various  branches 
of  military  duty.  He  was  a  professional  soldier;  they 
had  come  from  civil  life,  and,  necessarily,  there  was 
much  for  them  to  learn.  They  were  ready  to  be  taught, 
and  were  grateful  for  the  labor  he  performed  in  their 
behalf.  Their  intercourse  was  that  of  gentlemen,  and 
they  thus  conceived  and  cherished  for  their  colonel  cordial 
sentiments  of  good  will.  They  could  not  allow  him  to 
depart  from  their  immediate  association  without  bearing 
from  them  a  token  of  their  warm  regard.  A  committee 
was  appointed  by  them,  consisting  of  Messrs.  GofF, 
Russell  of  Company  A,  and  Smith,  adjutant,  to  procure 
a  suitable  testimonial.  An  elegant  brigadier-general's 
sword  and  corresponding  equipments  were  purchased, 
and  presented  to  General  Wheaton,  in  behalf  of  the 
officers  of  the  Regiment.  The  following  letter  accom 
panied  the  gift: 

"HEADQUARTERS   SECOND   REGIMENT,        ) 

December  13,  1862.  ) 

••  BKHJADIKU-GENERAL  WHEATON,  \ 

Commanding  3rd  brigade,  3rd  division,  l 

Sixth  Army  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac:  j 

SIR:  —  In  making  the  presentation  of   these 


1862. J  CHANGES    AND   COMPLICATIONS.  i:jl'» 

few  testimonials  of  our  love  and  appreciation,  we  would 
say,  that  the  gold  on  these  presents  shines  forth  in  repre 
sentation  of  your  valuable  qualities  as  a  man  and  officer, 
t  hat  have  always  been  brought  forth  for  our  best  interests. 
We  have  to  beg  you  will  accept  these  articles,  not  for 
their  intrinsic  value,  but  for  the  pleasant  memories  that 
will  ever  entwine  them  in  connection  with  your  associa 
tion  with  us. 

"Ever  your  friends, 

NATHAN  GOFF,  Jr.,  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
EDWARD  A.  RUSSELL,  Captain  Company  A, 
SAMUEL  J.  SMITH,  Adjutant, 

Committee." 

General  Wheaton  accepted  the  sword,  with  many  kind 
expressions  of  gratitude,  and  an  equally  cordial  reciproca 
tion  of  the  sentiments  expressed  by  the  officers  of  his  late 
command.  It  was  especially  pleasing  to  him  to  know, 
that  those  who  had  shared  with  him  the  trying  experience 
of  military  service  were  thus  interested  in  him,  and 
could  heartily  congratulate  him  upon  his  promotion. 
On  his  part,  he  was  proud  of  his  command,  and,  at  the 
present  time,  refers  to  his  connection  with  the  Regiment 
with  peculiar  satisfaction.  "From  July  21st,  1861,  to 
December  13th,  1862,  the  date  of  my  promotion  to 
brigadier-general/'  he  writes,  "  I  was  not  absent  from  the 
Regiment  for  a  day,  scarcely  an  hour,  and  am  necessarily 
somewhat  familiar  with  its  movements  and  record. 
Every  male  member  of  my  family  in  this  county  went, 
with  the  Second  Rhode  Island  into  its  first  battle,  and  I 
naturally  take  the  deepest  interest  in  any  thing  concern 
ing  an  organization,  for  whose  instruction  in  camp  and 
bearing  in  battle  I  felt,  perhaps,  a  little  responsible,  and 
whose  brilliant  record  has  for  years  been  to  me  a  source 


140  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Dec., 

of  heartfelt  and  unselfish  pride.  The  beautiful  sword 
presented  to  me  by  the  Second,  when  I  was  obliged  to 
leave  them  on  account  of  promotion,  is  always  with  me, 
and  valued  beyond  price."  A  suitable  gift  of  a  sword 
and  equipments  was  also  presented  to  General  Wheaton 
by  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  of  the 
Regiment,  and  was  by  him  gratefully  and  respectfully 
acknowledged.  Thus,  with  the  best  of  feeling  and  with 
expressions  of  interest,  gratitude,  and  regard,  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  Regiment  parted  with  the  colonel,  who 
had  led  them  since  the  battle  of  Bull  Run. 

The  vacancies  caused  by  the  promotion  of  Colonel 
Wheaton  were  promptly  filled.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Viall 
was  advanced  to  the  colonelcy,  and  Major  Goff  was  pro 
moted  to  lieutenant-colonel,  both  to  date  from  the  13th 
of  December,  1862.  The  propriety  of  these  promotions 
was  manifest  to  all.  Both  these  officers  had  performed 
distinguished  sendees,  and  had  fairly  won  their  advance 
ment.  They  had  risen  step  by  step,  and  had  proved 
themselves  brave  and  competent  in  every  position  which 
they  had  filled.  Colonel  Viall  had  had  considerable 
experience  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  had  come  from  the 
First  Rhode  Island  to  his  captaincy  in  the  Second. 
Thus,  from  the  start,  he  had  been  engaged  in  serving 
well  the  good  cause,  with  the  expectation  of  continuing 
in  the  service  to  the  end.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Goff  was 
among  the  first  to  raise  a  company  for  the  Regiment, 
and  won  his  major's  commission  by  excellent  service  on 
the  Peninsula.  The  promotions  were  thus  perfectly 
satisfactory  to  all  the  officers  of  lower  rank.  The  spirit 
of  harmony,  which  had  so  remarkably  characterized  the 
Regiment  to  this  point  in  its  career,  was  undisturbed. 

Who  should  be  appointed  major?  Upon  the  promo 
tion  of  Captain  Goff,  in  July,  Captain  Dyer  of  Company 


1802.]  CHANGES    AND    COMPLICATION-.  141 

A  was  the  ranking  officer  in  the  line.  But  Captain  Dyer 
was  promoted  to  major  of  the  Twelfth  Rhode  Island, 
October  10th,  leaving  Captain  B.  S.  Brown  of  H  as  the 
first  in  rank.  Unless  there  were  some  valid  objection  to 
the  promotion,  it  was  naturally  supposed,  that  the  major 
ity  would  thus  be  conferred.  Following  Brown  wero 
Read,  S.  H.  Brown,  Stanley,  W.  B.  Sears,  Young, 
Ames,  Shaw,  Foy,  Russell,  promoted  from  first  lieutenant 
of  C  to  captain  of  A,  October  10th  —  all  good  and  efficient 
officers  —  some  of  whom  had  received  honorable  and 
complimentary  notice  in  orders  and  dispatches.  Gov 
ernor  Sprague  passed  over  all  these,  and  appointed 
Chaplain  Jameson  major,  his  commission  dating  from 
the  13th  of  December.  The  announcement  of  this  pro 
motion  at  once  caused  a  great  excitement,  both  among 
the  line  officers  and  throughout  the  Regiment. 

On  the  one  side,  it  was  argued,  that  a  staff  officer  could 
not  with  justice  be  advanced,  unless  he  had  shown  as  a 
soldier  such  conspicuous  merit  as  to  eclipse  the  services 
of  the  officers  of  the  line,  or  unless  those  officers  had 
been  deficient  in  their  duty,  or  were  incompetent  to 
perform  the  duties  of  the  higher  grade.  The  appoint 
ment  was  considered  as  a  reflection  upon  both  the  faith 
fulness  and  the  military  knowledge  of  the  captains. 
Was  there  any  sufficient  reason  for  disregarding  the 
claims  of  those  who  were,  by  military  usage,  entitled  to 
the  promotion?  It  was  not  pretended  that  these  officers 
had  failed  in  their  own  positions,  or  were  unable  to  fill, 
with  credit  to  themselves  and  the  Regiment,  the  higher 
post  of  duty.  Moreover,  whatever  may  have  been  the 
merits  of  Chaplain  Jameson  in  his  own  peculiar  office  — 
and  these  did  not  come  into  the  question  —  it  was  de 
clared,  that  his  military  service  had  not  been  of  such 
distinguished  character,  as  to  entitle  him  to  be  put  over 


142  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec., 

liis  associates.  His  bravery  was  not  denied,  but  his 
military  knowledge  was  not  sufficient,  it  was  said,  to 
enable  him  to  hold  this  responsible  office,  in  case  his 
superiors  in  rank  should  be  disabled  in  battle.  Could  the 
honor  of  the  Regiment  and  the  lives  of  the  men  be 
entrusted  to  one,  whose  previous  training  had  not  rendered 
him  amply  fit  to  act,  as  a  field  officer,  in  the  face  of  the 
enemy?  The  promotion,  too,  was  out  of  the  regular 
course,  and  it  was  but  natural  that  the  line  officers,  who 
had  endeavored  to  do  their  duty,  and  were  conscious  of 
no  neglect,  should  have  felt  aggrieved,  and  should  have 
expressed  their  feelings  in  a  manner  which  was  not  grati 
fying,  either  to  the  newly  promoted  officer,  or  the  execu 
tive  of  the  state. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  was  said,  that  the  chaplain  had 
been  a  good  officer  in  his  station,  and  had  shown  cool 
ness  and  courage  on  the  field  of  battle;  that  he  was  an 
educated  man,  and  was  presumed  to  have  given  some 
attention  to  military  matters,  in  the  course  of  his  pro 
fessional  training  —  at  all  events,  that  he  could  soon 
qualify  himself  for  his  duties;  and  that,  in  respect  of  his 
want  of  previous  instruction  in  the  military  art,  he  was 
in  no  worse  condition  than  many  others  at  the  beginning 
of  the  war,  who  had  yet  proved  themselves  good  soldiers. 
Lawyers  had  come  from  their  offices,  professors  from 
ilicir  studies,  business  men  from  their  counting-rooms, 
and  had  even  distinguished  themselves  in  the  field. 
What  could  hinder  a  clergyman  from  winning  success 
and  distinction  in  the  same  way,  especially  as  he  must 
already  have  learned  something  from  his  own  experience 
of  a  year  and  a  half,  or  at  least  from  his  observation  of 
others?  Finally,  it  was  the  will  of  the  executive,  and  as 
(lovernor  Sprague  had  determined,  so  it  should  be. 

Captain  B.  S.  Brown,  on  the  22nd  of  December,  wrote 


1862.]  CHANGES   AND   COMPLICATIONS.  14)5 

to  Governor  Sprague,  stating  his  own  rank  and  expressing 
his  feelings  in  regard  to  the  promotion  of  the  chaplain, 
and  the  governor  replied,  giving  his  reasons  for  the  course 
lie  had  pursued,  and  declaring  his  purpose  for  the  future. 
The  clear  and  explicit  language  used  by  the  executive 
needs  no  comment.  "I  was  not  aware,"  says  the  gov 
ernor,  "that  you  were  the  senior  captain,  therefore  your 
merits  were  not  canvassed  or  referred  to.  In  the  battles 
before  Richmond  Major  Jameson  was  referred  to  by 
officers  high  in  command.  This  was  before  Goff  was 
promoted.  I  then  promised  Jameson  that,  in  the  event 
of  a  vacancy  occurring  in  his  Regiment  of  this  position, 
I  would  give  it  to  him.  He  justly  complains  of  the 
action  of  Congress,  and  more  justly  complains  of  the  bad 
actions  of  his  companions-in-arms.  Should  Major  Jame 
son  feel  compelled  to  resign  in  consequence  of  this 
ungenerous  conduct,  be  assured,  captain,  that  no  officer 
of  the  Second  gets  it,  and  I  shall  hesitate  long  before  I 
advance  any  officers,  knowing  them  to  have  been  active 
in  this  matter,  even  in  the  ordinary  vacancies  that  occur. 
Either  new  men  entirely,  or  the  non-commissioned 
officers,  shall  take  the  places  of  those  who  are  unworthy 
of  the  places  they  hold.  If  the  officers  of  the  Second  do 
not  know,  let  them  learn  from  the  Fourth  and  Fifth 
regiments  and  the  cavalry.  Had  I  ever  thought  the 
course  I  thought  best  to  pursue,  in  giving  appointments 
in  the  Second,  would  have  resulted  in  officers  dictating  to 
me,  they  never  would  have  had  one  of  them.  Tell  them 
this,  captain,  and  tell  them  to  pause  before  going  too 
far." 

Captain  Brown,  on  the  1st  of  January,  1863,  resigned, 
and  his  resignation  was  accepted.  Colonel  Viall  con 
sidered  it  his  duty,  by  request  of  the  line  officers,  to 
address,  on  the  2nd,  an  application  to  headquarters  of 


144  SECOND    RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Jan., 

the  Sixth  Corps,  asking  that  Major  Jameson  be  sum 
moned  for  examination  before  the  board  constituted  for 
that  purpose.  The  major,  perceiving  that,  if  successful 
in  passing,  his  position  in  the  Regiment  would  be  irk 
some  and  embarrassing  to  himself,  brought  the  unhappy 
controversy  to  an  end,  by  resigning  his  office  on  the  8th. 
His  resignation  was  accepted.  On  the  2nd  of  March 
following  he  was  appointed  major  of  the  Fifth  regiment, 
Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery,  in  which  he  continued  to 
serve  till  February  2nd,  1865. 

Colonel  Viall  resigned  on  the  25th  of  January.  His 
service  as  commander  of  the  Regiment  was  not  of  long 
duration,  but  it  was  marked  by  faithfulness  and  ability. 
Had  he  continued  in  the  command,  he  would  doubtless 
have  exhibited  an  equal  efficiency  to  that  which  he  had 
shown  in  the  subordinate  positions  he  had  held.  He  led 
the  Regiment,  in  Burnside's  second  movement  against 
the  enemy  at  the  upper  fords,  and  soon  after  its  return, 
his  resignation  having  been  accepted,  he  proceeded  to 
Rhode  Island.  He  did  not,  however,  long  remain  in 
active.  Governor  Sprague  resigned,  March  3rd,  and 
Lieutenant-Governor  ^Y•  C.  Cozzens  became  commander- 
in-chief.  His  term  of  office  expired,  May  26th,  and 
Hon.  James  Y.  Smith  was  inaugurated  as  governor  of 
the  state.  Governor  Smith  at  once  addressed  himself  to 
the  duty  of  recruiting  for  the  prosecution  of  the  war,  and 
by  him  the  project  of  raising  a  regiment  of  colored  troops 
was  favorably  entertained.  The  project  took  form  in  the 
summer  of  1863,  and  Colonel  Viall  was  assigned  to  the 
duty  of  organizing  the  regiment,  and  preparing  it  for  the 
field.  So  diligently  was  the  task  performed,  that,  by  the 
early  part  of  December,  the  first  battalion  was  ready  to 
leave  for  the  south.  During  the  winter  and  the  spring 
of  1864  two  other  battalions  were  sent  forward.  The 


1803.]  rii.\xi;Ks  AXD  COMPLICATIONS.  145 

•command,  first  called  the  Fourteenth  Rhode  Island 
Heavy  Artillery,  afterwards  the  llth  United  States 
Heavy  Artillery  (colored),  was  concentrated  in  New 
Orleans  and  its  neighborhood.  Its  field  of  duty  was  in 
Louisiana,  and  the  regiment  won  high  encomium  for 
its  soldierly  appearance,  good  discipline  and  conduct. 
Divided  into  twelve  companies,  it  numbered  nearly 
fifteen  hundred  officers  and  men.  Colonel  Viall  was 
appointed  by  President  Lincoln  lieutenant-colonel,  Jan 
uary  15th,  1864.  During  the  service  of  the  regiment  in 
Louisiana  he  had  charge  of  a  line  of  works  near  New 
Orleans,  which  his  command  had  restored  and  armed. 
On  the  2nd  of  October,  1865,  he  was  mustered  out  of 
service  with  the  regiment,  and  soon  afterward  was 
brevetted  brigadier-general  of  volunteers,  to  date  from 
March  13th,  for  meritorious  service  during  the  war. 

Resignations  of  other  officers  are  recorded  before  the 
close  of  1862  and  in  the  early  part  of  1863.  First 
Lieutenant  Ellis  of  F  resigned',  October  14th,  1862; 
First  Lieutenant  Collins  of  B,  December  27th,  and  was 
appointed  first  lieutenant  in  the  Fifth.  August  18th, 
1863;  Adjutant  Smith,  January  6th,  1863,  First  Lieu 
tenant  B.  B.  Manchester  of  F,  January  llth,  and  Cap 
tain  Stanley  of  E,  February  9th.  On  the  1st  of  January 
First  Lieutenant  T.  II.  Carr  of  H  died.  On  the  17th 
First  Lieutenant  Lawless,  who  had  been  promoted  from 
second  lieutenant,  October  10th,  was  discharged,  on 
surgeon's  certificate.  On  the  28th  Captain  Ames*  was 
•appointed  major  of  the  Third  Rhode  Island  Heavy 
Artillery,  and  was  transferred  to  that  organization.  He 
was  successively  promoted  to  lieutenant-colonel,  March 
22nd,  1864,  colonel,  October  10th,  chief  of  artillery, 


*Captain  Ames's  commission  as  captain  was  dated  July  21st,  1862. 
13 


14G  SK(()\D    KIIODK    ISLAM)    VOLUNTEERS.          [Jail., 

department  of  South  Carolina,  and  brevet  brigadier- 
general  of  volunteers.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the 
.service,  August  37th,  1865,  having  served  with  distinction 
through  the  entire  war.  On  the  13th  of  March  First 
Lieutenant  Aborn,  who  had  been  for  nearly  a  year 
brigade  quartermaster,  resigned. 

Lieutenant-Colonel   Goff   assumed   command   of    the 
Regiment  immediately  after  the  resignation  of  Colonel 
Via  11.     In  an  order,  published  February  1st,    he   says, 
"having  been  suddenly  called  to  the  command  of  the 
Regiment,  in  consequence  of  the  resignation  of  Colonel 
Via  11,  I  earnestly  hope  and  expect  all   officers   of   this 
command  will  cooperate  with  me  in  sustaining  the  disci 
pline  and  reputation  the  Regiment  has  attained/'     With 
out  a  major  or  any  field  officer  to  assist  him,  and  with 
the  Regiment  in  a  state  of  suppressed  excitement,  the 
.duties  of  the  new  commander  were  somewhat  arduous 
during  the  brief  period  of  his  administration.     That  they 
were  well  and  faithfully  performed,  it  is  almost  needless 
to  say,  and  the  friends  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Goff,  both 
in  and  out  of  the  Regiment,  expected  and  desired  his 
promotion.     But  Governor  Sprague,  following  the  pur 
pose  which  he  had  announced  in  his  letter  to  Captain 
Brown,  had  already  made  an  appointment  of   colonel. 
Major  Horatio  Rogers,  Jr.,  of  the  Third  Rhode  Island, 
had  been  promoted  to  colonel  of   the  Eleventh  Rhode 
Island,  December  27th,  1862,  and,  on  the  31st  of  Jan 
uary,  1863,  immediately  upon  Colonel  VialPs  resignation, 
he  was  appointed  colonel  of  the  Second.     The  new  com 
mander  did  not  immediately  go  to  Falmouth,  and  the 
lieutenant-colonel  continued  in  command.     The  question 
of  a  new  appointment  of  chaplain  came  up  for  considera 
tion,  and,  at  a  meeting  of  the  officers,  held  February 
5th,  it  was  unanimously  resolved,  that  the  Rov.  Charles 


1863.]  CHAXGE8  AHD  COMPLICATIONS,  L41 

Kcyscr  of  Providence  be  recommended  for  the  position. 
The  record  of  the  vote  was  sent  to  Rhode  Island,  hut 
the  recommendation  was  not  adopted,  and  no  appoint 
ment  was  made. 

Colonel  Rogers  was  mustered  as  colonel  of  the  Second 
on  the  6th  of  February.  As  he  had  only  heard  the 
governor's  version  of  the  affair,  he  was  comparatively 
ignorant  of  the  troubles  in  which  the  Regiment  had 
become  involved.  Desirous  simply  of  meeting  the  wishes 
of  the  executive  in  placing  him  in  command,  he  went  to 
Falmouth.  On  his  arrival  he  found,  that  the  Regiment 
was  absent  from  camp  on  a  three  days'  tour  of  picket 
duty,  and  he  employed  the  time  while  awaiting  its- 
return,  in  informing  himself  respecting  its  condition. 
He  conferred  with  the  officers  of  the  division,  who 
frankly  expressed  their  opinion,  that  the  policy  of  trans 
ferring  officers  in  this  way  was  detrimental  to  the  service, 
unless  there  should  be  imperative  reasons  for  such  a 
course,  and  that  the  good  of  the  Regiment  could,  in 
their  opinion,  best  be  secured  by  the  promotion  of  the 
lieutenant-colonel.  Immediately  after  the  Regiment, 
came  into  camp,  Colonel  Rogers  summoned  the  officers 
to  his  tent,  announced  his  appointment,  which  had  come 
to  him  unsought,  but  the  duties  of  which  he  was  not 
at  liberty  to  avoid,  stated  the  case  as  it  had  been  repre 
sented  to  him,  and  expressed  his  willingness  to  do  what 
ever  would  be  for  the  welfare  of  the  command.  He- 
would  prepare  a  letter  for  Lieutenant-Colonel  Goff 
to  take  to  Governor  Sprague.  The  lieutenant-colonel 
had  already  been  ordered  by  General  Sedgwick  to  pro 
ceed  to  Rhode  Island,  in  order  to  have  an  interview  with 
the  governor  and  ascertain  his  intentions.  In  the  course 
of  the  next  few  days,  under  authority  of  this  order,  he 
accordingly  departed  from  camp,  and  went  to  Provi- 


148  -C«  OND    RHODE    ISLAND    VOI.l   NTKKKS.         [Feb.. 

dence.  He  carried  witli  him  letters,  dated  February 
llth,  from  General  Wheaton,  Colonel  Eustis  of  the  10th. 
Massachusetts,  the  senior  officer  of  the  brigade,  ;m<l 
Colonel  Rogers. 

General  Wheaton 's  letter  spoke  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Goff  as  "one  of  the  most  efficient  officers  in  the  service 
of  our  state,"  and  expressed  the  hope,  that  if  there  were 
no  possibility  of  his  obtaining  the  command  of  tin- 
Second,  the  governor  would  "favorably  consider  his 
good  claim  to  promotion  to  some  other  regiment,  as  a 
reward  for  faithful  and  continuous  service  in  the  field. v 
Colonel  Eustis  disavowed  any  intention  of  interfering 
with  the  arrangements  made  by  the  executive,  admitted, 
to  the  fullest  extent,  the  right  of  the  governor  to  appoint 
whom  he  pleased  to  the  command,  refused  to  admit, 
"for  an  instant,  the  right  of  line  officers  to  resign. 
because  they  are  not  satisfied  with  those  placed  over  them 
by  proper  authority,"  did  not  advocate  the  cause  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Goff,  or  urge  his  claims  to  promotion, 
but  yet  expressed  his  "firm  conviction,  that  the  harmony 
of  the  Regiment,  and,  consequently,  its  efficiency,  would 
be  most  surely  promoted  by  leaving  things  as  they  were 
before  Colonel  Rogers  was  assigned  to  the  command." 
He  had  no  objection  personally  to  the  newly  appointed 
colonel,  and  declared,  that  he  would  "  receive  from  all 
his  superiors  the  most  cordial  support."  Colonel  Rogers 
informed  the  governor  of  the  opinions  expressed  by  other 
officers  in  the  division,  and  agreed  with  them,  declaring 
his  entire  willingness  to  servo  the  state  in  any  capacity, 
in  which  the  governor  could  employ  him,  to  give  up  tin- 
command  of  the  Regiment,  if  the  good  of  the  ser\  id- 
demanded  the  promotion  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  GolV. 
and  take  a  position  in  another  regiment,  where  he  could 
be  of  use  to  the  state  and  country. 


<  HANGKS    AND    <  OMI'I.I*  ATI<»\  ^.  14'.) 

Mut  Governor  Sprague  was  inflexible,  lie  seemed  to 
have  become  alienated  from  the  officers  of  the  Second, 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Goff  could  obtain  no  satisfaction 
from  the  interview.  There  was  no  redress.  Other  regi 
ments  had  been  treated  in  the  same  way.  Why  should 
the  Second  be  exempt?  The  right  of  the  executive  was 
unquestioned  and  unquestionable,  and  no  interference 
from  any  quarter  would  be  permitted.  The  only  thing  to 
do  was  to  cheerfully  acquiesce  in  the  situation  of  affairs, 
and  await  patiently  the  progress  of  events.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Goff  returned  to  camp,  bringing  with  him  the 
following  open  letter  to  Colonel  Rogers: 

'•PROVIDENCE,  February  17,  1803. 

*'  COLONEL:  —  I  have  yours  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Goff. 
Hearing  Lieutenant-Colonel  Goff  was  here  on  a  mission 
to  me,  as  to  my  action  in  placing  you  in  command,  I  had 
determined  to  revoke  his  commission  of  lieutenant-col 
onel,  as,  in  my  official  position,  I  will  not  brook  the 
slightest  interference.  Tell  General  Wheaton,  Colonel 
Eustis  this.  I  am,  I  believe,  far  better  able  to  judge  of 
the  best  person  for  colonel  of  the  Second  Regiment  than 
either  of  them  —  at  any  rate,  I  can  receive  no  advice  from 
them.  I  am  fully  posted  as  to  the  whole  matter  of  the 
Second,  and  act  imderstandingly.  The  officers  of  the 
Regiment  can  only  get  promotion  by  your  urgent  request, 
and  after  they  shall  have  made  amends  for  their  insubor 
dinate  and  treasonable  conduct.  I  will,  as  I  have  written 
you  before,  see,  that  no  non-commissioned  officer  and 
private  suffers,  as  upon  your  recommendation  they  will 
receive  commissions,  either  in  your  Regiment  or  some 
other.  Tell  Wheaton  and  Eustis,  that  I  was  aware,  that 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Goff  was  in  no  way  connected  with 
the  insubordinate  conduct,  which  forced  Jameson  to 
13* 


150          sKroNh  KHOIM;  ISLAND  VOLCNTKKKS.       [~Keb., 

resign.  1  -imply  appointed  you,  because  I  thought  YOU 
the  better  man  to  deal  with  such  material.  I  do  not 
desire  peace  in  time  of  war,  and  select  such  men  as  f 
tli ink  will  fight.  I  have  no  place  for  yon  but  as  colonel 
of  the  Second  Regiment,  and  if  yon  do  not  take  it, 
Church  will.  I  have  plenty  of  men  for  lieutenant-, 
captains,  major,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  colonel,  for  this 
Iveirinient.  and  I  mean  to  use  them,  too. 
"  Truly  yours, 

WM.    Sl'KAGl  K. 


iment,  R.  I.  V."  j 


"COLON  HI,  H.  KOGKKS,  Jr.. 
Commanding  Second  Itegimeni 

Immediately  upon  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  Colonel 
'Rogers,  naturally  feeling  aggrieved  by  its  offensive  tone, 
wrote  his  resignation,  called  his  officers  together,  read  to- 
them  what  the  governor  had  written,  and  informed  them 
that  his  resignation  had  been  prepared,  and  would  be 
nent  to  headquarters  at  the  earliest  opportunity.  The 
officers,  upon  leaving  the  colonel's  tent,  discussed  with 
each  other  the  very  important  question  of  the  resignation 
of  their  commanding  officer.  \Vith  almost  entire  una 
nimity  they  decided,  that  the  good  of  the  Regiment 
required,  that  Colonel  llogers  should  continue  in  com 
mand.  They  repaired  once  more  to  the  tent  of  the 
colonel,  and  entreated  him  to  dismiss  his  intention,  or 
at  least  to  withhold  his  resignation  for  a  time,  with  the 
bopc  that  it  might  be  reconsidered.  Moved  by  the 
earnestness  of  his  subordinates,  and  touched  by  this 
warm  expression  of  their  wishes,  Colonel  Rogers  decided, 
that  it  was  best  for  all  concerned,  that  he  should  keep 
the  command.  Lie,  therefore,  relinquished  altogether 
his  design,  and.  on  the  21st  of  February,  issued  the 
following  order: 


1863.J  <  HANGKS    AND    COMPLICATION-.  151 

"  COMKADKS:  —  The  colonel  commanding  has  hitherto 
refrained  from  addressing  you,  as  he  desired  to  carefully 
examine  those,  with  whose  well-being  his  own  honor  and 
reputation  are  inseparably  linked.  Your  soldierly  bear 
ing  and  the  neatness  and  cleanliness  of  your  camp  most 
favorably  impress  him.  May  a  continuance  in  the  habits 
of  good  conduct,  respect  to  officers,  strict  obedience,  and 
a  cheerful  performance  of  every  military  duty,  which,  I 
am  assured,  you  possess,  wreathe  new  laurels  round  the 
banners  you  have  faithfully  served  so  long!  May  the 
brilliancy  of  your  past  be  only  eclipsed  by  that  of  your 
future! 

"Comrades!  your  colonel  is  ready  to  make  any  sacri 
fice  for  your  welfare.  To  him  it  will  always  be  a  pleasure 
to  reward,  a  pain  to  punish.  Let  us  ever  assist  each 
other,  and  may  God  bless  all  our  efforts  for  future  pros 
perity!" 

The  purpose,  which  Governor  Sprague  had  expressed, 
of  revoking  Lieutenant-Colonel  Goff's  commission,  was, 
of  course,  a  harmless  design,  so  far  as  any  technical 
executive  action  was  concerned.  A  governor  of  a  state 
could  not  touch  an  officer  of  the  United  States  by  any 
direct  order.  He  had  the  authority  to  issue  a  commis 
sion,  but  not  to 'revoke  it.  An  officer  could  be  dismissed 
only  by  the  national  authorities  at  Washington.  Gov 
ernor  Sprague  became  a  senator  of  the  United  States  on 
the  4th  of  March,  and,  on  the  13th  of  the  same  month t 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Goff  was  dismissed  from  the  service 
"  for  insubordination,"  by  request  of  the  governor,  as 
expressed  to  the  secretary  of  war  on  the  2nd,  immedi 
ately  before  leaving  the  executive  chair.  On  the  same 
day  he  promoted  Lieutenant  Jencks  to  major.  Captain 
Read,  who  had  been  serving  as  assistant  adjutant-general 
on  General  Devens's  staff,  during  the  winter,  was  pro- 


1-V>  SK(  ONI)    UllnDK    ISLAND    V<  >L(  NTKKKS.     |  March, 

uiotcd  by  Governor  ('<>//ens  <»n  ihc  i:5th  to  lieutenant- 
coloneL 

The  dismissal  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  (Joff  was  a  grievous 
Mow  to  him.  He  returned  to  his  home  in  Warren,  feel 
ing  keenly  the  sense  of  the  wrong  which  he  had  suffered, 
as  In-  was  conscious  of  nothing  which  justified  the  action 
of  the  war  department.  Hut.  with  a  commendable 
spirit  of  patriotism,  he  still  sought  to  do  his  dntv  to  the 
country.  He  submitted  the  matter  to  the  president, 
with  letters  from  Generals  Newton,  Devens,  and  Wheat- 
4)ii,  Colonels  Kustis,  Brown,  and  Kd wards,  and  the  line 
officers  of  the  Regiment,  stating  that  they  knew  of  no 
act  of  insubordination  in  all  the  lieutenant-colonel's 
career.  Mr.  Lincoln  examined  the  case,  and  on  the  5th 
<«f  May  removed  the  disability.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
({off  went  before  the  board,  which  had  in  charge  the 
examination  of  the  officers  for  colored  troops  ordered  for 
the  I'm  ted  States  service,  and  was  recommended  for  a 
lieutenant-colonelcy  of  the  first  class.  He  was  accord 
ingly  appointed  to  this  grade,  in  the  *i**nd  regiment. 
Tinted  States  colored  troops,  December  ">:>rd,  1803.  :ni(' 
was  in  the  Virginia  campaign  of  1804.  where  his  regi 
ment  did  good  service,  His  friends  at  Warren  presented 
him  with  a  sword  and  equipments  for  the  rank  he  held. 
He  was  wounded  in  front  of  Petersburg.  June  15th, 
1S<>4.  in  the  first  advance  made  upon  that  point.  He 
wa>  appointed  colonel  of  the  37th  regiment  of  colored 
infantry.  October  ;^nd,  18(14.  and  served  mostly  in 
North  Carolina,  commanding  the  post  at  Wilmington. 
He  was  1  irevetted  brigadier-general  of  volunteers,  to  date 
from  March  Kith.  1805,  " for  long  and  faithful  services, 
and  gallant  cmiduct  in  the  field/'  He  was  retained  in  the 
service  on  court  martial  business,  after  the  muster  out  of 
hi-  iv-iineiit,  until  .June  Kfh.  ISi',;,  when  he  was 


<  HA.\<;F;S    AND    <  ONHM.K  ATIONS.  !,">:> 

finally  discharged,  assured  by  the  colonel  commanding 
the  state  of  North  Carolina,  that  ho  carried  ••  with  him 
into  civil  life  the  approbation  and  esteem  of  his  superior 
officers,  and  the  earnest  wishes  of  all  who  have  known 
him,"  for  his  future  prosperity  and  honor. 

Colonel  Rogers's  position  in  the  Regiment  was  both 
delicate  and  difficult.  His  previous  record  was  well 
known,  and  thus  far  his  introduction  was  favorable.  He 
had  been  appointed  first  lieutenant  of  Company  D, 
Third  Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery,  August  27th,  1861, 
and  on  the  9th  of  October  had  been  promoted  to  captain 
of  Company  H.  In  the  reduction  of  Fort  Pulaski,  near 
Savannah,  April  10th  and  llth,  1862,  he  had  command 
of  Battery  McClellan,  and,  by  the  skillful  handling  of 
his  guns,  breaching  the  fort,  he  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  commanding  general.  In  the  battle  of  Secession- 
ville,  James  Island,  June  16th,  he  was  again  commended 
for  conspicuous  and  gallant  service,  for  which  he  was 
promoted  to  major.  In  command  of  a  battalion,  he 
took  part  in  the  battle  of  Pocotaligo,  October  22nd. 
Afterwards  promoted  to  the  colonelcy  of  the  Eleventh,, 
he  was  thence  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Second. 

Had  the  Regiment  been  entirely  free  from  any  disturb 
ing  element,  the  appointment  would  naturally  have 
caused  a  certain  excitement  of  feeling.  Coming  closely 
upon  the  disappointment  occasioned  by  the  chaplain's 
promotion,  it  was  a  source  of  additional  trouble.  The 
previous  matter  had  been  discussed  throughout  the 
division.  The  Second  was  so  well  known,  that  anything 
affecting  its  condition  would  at  once  become  an  object  of 
interest  to  other  regiments.  There  could  be  no  personal 
feeling  against  the  new  commander,  for  whatever  was 
known  of  him  was  in  his  favor.  There  was  rather  the 
opinion,  that  promotions  should  be  made  from  among 


154  SK(ONI)    RHODE    ISLAND    Vol. I  NTKKHS.     [March, 

those  who  had  served  in  and  with  the  Regiment,  whose 
interests  were  its  own,  and  who  belonged  to  it  in  the 
closest  and  most  intimate  relations.  The  introduction 
of  a  stranger  seemed  like  an  intrusion. 

It  required  all  the  tact  which  Colonel  Rogers  possessed 
f<>  compose  the  difficulties  of  the  situation.  It  is  to  the 
credit  of  the  commander  and  of  the  officers  and  men 
themselves,  that  they  were  composed.  A  courteous  hut 
iirm  administration  of  affairs  on  one  side,  good  sense  and 
loyalty  on  the  other,  combined  not  only  to  restore  the 
Regiment  to  its  former  good  estate,  but  also  to  improve 
upon  it.  AVhen  the  time  for  action  came,  it  was  amply 
proved,  that,  instead  of  being  "insubordinate  and  treason 
able,"  the  Second  was  stronger  than  ever,  in  all  the 
elements  which  constitute  a  brave  and  patriotic  soldiery. 
Colonel  Rogers  was  at  home  on  sick  leave,  from  the  21st 
of  March  to  the  16th  of  April.  While  on  picket  duty  he 
was  prostrated  by  a  severe  attack  of  malarial  fever,  caused 
by  the  change  from  the  warm  temperature  of  South 
Carolina  to  the  severities  of  a  more  northern  winter,  and 
doubtless  aided  in  its  development  by  the  stress  of  cir 
cumstances.  Immediately  upon  being  brought  into  camp 
lie  was  ordered  home  by  medical  authority,  as  the  only 
means  of  saving  his  life.  As  soon  as  his  symptoms 
became  favorable,  after  a  somewhat  doubtful  struggle, 
and  he  began  to  convalesce,  he  returned  to  the  Regiment. 
On  his  arrival  at  Falmouth  he  was  received  by  a  consider- 
.-ililc  number  of  the  officers,  and  escorted  into  camp, 
where  he  was  greeted  with  a  cordial  welcome.  During 
his  absence,  until  April  Oth,  the  Regiment  was  in  com 
mand  of  Captain  S.  H.  Brown. 

The  winter  and  the  early  spring  passed  away  without 
any  memorable  events  in  the  conduct  of  the  war  in 
Virginia.  After  the  appointment  of  General  Hooker  to 


1863. J  CHA\«TK>    AND    <  •(IMPLICATION-.  1 .".."» 

« 

the  command,  the  army  settled  down  into  winter  »mart»'i->. 
Supplies  were  plentiful,  friends  at  home  were  not  unmind 
ful  of   the  needs  of  the  absent,  and  the  soldiers  made 
themselves   very  comfortable.     The  camp  of  the  Regi 
ment  was  tastefully  laid  out,  the  streets  bearing  the  names 
Burnside,    Devens,  Wheaton,  Viall,    Goff,    Rogers   and 
others,  finely  shaded  and  protected  by  cedars,  and  orna 
mented   with   evergreen   arches   and   arbors.      Another 
attempt  was  made  to  obtain  a  chaplain.     On  the  evening 
of  the  21st  of  February,  at  a  meeting  of  the  officers,  Rev. 
Thomas   Quinn   of   Providence,  chaplain  in  the  First, 
Third,  and  First  Light  Artillery,  from  April,   1861  to 
July,  1862,  was  elected.     Father  Quinn  was  willing  to  ac 
cept  the  appointment,  but  his  ecclesiastical  superiors  had 
already  assigned  him  to  other  duties,  and  were  indisposed 
to  release  him,  and  the  appointment  was  therefore  de 
clined.     The  principal  work  of  the  Regiment,  outside  of 
the  camp,  was  in  picketing  the  river  bank.     In  front  of 
the  position  of  the  Second  were  generally  posted  the 
Louisiana  "Tigers/'  and  friendly  missives   were   inter 
changed,  and  a  trade  in  coffee,  sugar,  tobacco  and  news 
papers  was  carried  on  between  the  two.     For  a  time,  at 
least,  there  was  a  truce  at  the  outposts.     Early  in  April 
indications  of  approaching  hostilities  appeared.     On  the 
3rd  the  army  was   reviewed  by   General   Hooker,   and 
again  on   the   8th  by  President  Lincoln.     On  the  7th 
General  Devens  reviewed  and  took  leave  of  his  brigade, 
on  his  promotion  to  the  command  of  a  division  in  the 
Eleventh  Corps.     The  Regiment  parted  with  him  with 
sincere  regret,  as   he   had  warmly   attached  himself  to 
officers  and  men,  by  his  courtesy,  gallantry  and  kindness. 
Colonel  Brown  of  the  36th  New  York  succeeded  to  the 
command  of  the  brigade,  to  which,  in  September,  1862, 
the  37th  Massachusetts  Volunteers  had  been  added. 


156  sKroxn   UIIODK   ISLAND  VOLT  NTKKHX      [April, 

In  the  interval  between  (lie  close  of  the  Peninsular 
campaign  and  the  beginning  of  active  operations  of  1803 
numerous  changes  took  place.  During  that  time  36  men 
are  recorded  as  having  deserted;  107  were  discharged, 
mostly  from  disabilities  caused  by  the  hardships  of  the 
service.  The  deaths  and  casualties  in  battle  have  been 
mentioned.  The  resignations  and  promotions  of  several 
of  the  officers,  and  the  accompanying  circumstances 
have  also  been  narrated.  Colonel  Rogers  was  especially 
desirous  of  producing  concord  in  his  command,  and,  in 
reply  to  Governor  Sprague's  letter,  on  the  22nd  of  Feb 
ruary,  he  wrote  in  deprecation  of  the  course  suggested 
by  the  governor,  of  promoting  from  without  the  Regi 
ment.  He  earnestly  recommended,  that  the  claims  of 
deserving  officers  should  be  considered  favorably,  and 
forwarded  a  list  of  names  to  be  acted  upon.  The  gov 
ernor  disregarded  the  recommendation.  But  Governor 
Cox/ens,  upon  his  accession  to  office,  notwithstanding  an 
attempt  of  his  predecessor  to  dissuade  him,  complied 
with  Colonel  Rogers's  request,  and  the  following  promo 
tions  were  made,  dating  from  February  22nd:  First 
Lieutenant  English  of  A  to  captain  of  II;  First  Lieuten 
ant  Turner  —  transferred  from  G  to  F,  November  2(.Mh, 
1862  —  to  captain  of  G;  Second  Lieutenant  Tate  of  C  — 
transferred  from  B,  November  1st,  1862  —  to  first  lieu 
tenant  and  quartermaster;  Second  Lieutenant  Waldron 
of  E  to  first  lieutenant  of  A;  Second  Lieutenant  "Water- 
house  of  I  to  first  lieutenant;  Sergeant-Major  Bradford 
to  first  lieutenant  and  adjutant;  Sergeant  Bates  of  A  to 
second  lieutenant  of  I;  Sergeant  Tinkham  of  1)  to  second 
lieutenant  of  C;  Sergeant  Clark  of  F  to  second  lieutenant 
of  E;  Sergeant  T.  J.  Smith  of  D  to  sergeant-major; 
March  2nd,  Second  Lieutenant  Rhodes  of  D  was  pro 
moted  to  tirst  lieutenant;  llth.  Second  Lieutenant  Clen- 


1863.]  CHANGES   AXD   COMPLICATIONS.  157 

dennin  of  A  to  assistant  adjutant-general  of  volunteers, 
with  the  rank  of  captain,  and  assigned  to  General 
Wheaton's  staff;  October  10th,  1862,  Sergeant  Charles 
T.  Brown  of  E  was  promoted  to  second  lieutenant  and 
assigned  to  H;  29th,  Maurice  E.  Jones  was  appointed 
assistant  surgeon,  and  was  discharged,  May  30th,  1863; 
January  22nd,  1863,  Amos  M.  Bowen,  formerly  a  private 
in  the  First  Rhode  Island,  and  taken  prisoner  at  Bull 
Run,  first  lieutenant,  and  assigned  to  C;  February  17th, 
First  Lieutenant  Joseph  Mclntyre  of  the  Fifth  Rhode 
Island  Heavy  Artillery,  captain,  and  assigned  to  E; 
March  3rd,  Corporal  David  A.  Holmes  of  the  Third 
Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery,  first  lieutenant,  and  as 
signed  to  H;  9th,  Lucius  S.  Bolles,  assistant  surgeon; 
27th,  Charles  H.  O'Connor,  first  lieutenant,  and  assigned 
to  B.  During  a  portion  of  the  spring  Captain  Young 
served  as  inspector-general  of  the  2nd  brigade,  and  First 
Lieutenant  Waterhouse  in  the  ambulance  corps. 

The  list  of  changes  and  promotions  among  the  warrant 
officers  is  long.*  November  1st,  1862,  Sergeant  L.  F. 
Carr  of  D  was  promoted  to  hospital  steward;  October 
2nd,  Sergeant  Prentiss  of  C  to  first  sergeant,  to  date 'from 
September  1st,  and  Corporal  J.  H.  Greene  to  sergeant; 
4th,  Corporal  M.  M.  West  of  K  to  sergeant,  vice  Murphy, 
resigned  his  warrant;  privates  James  H.  Bishop,  Frank 
Carr,  Jonathan  B.  Howarth,  and  Luke  Kelley,  of  B,  to 
corporal;  5th,  Sergeant  Blake  of  K«  to  first  sergeant, 
Corporal  Blanchard  to  sergeant,  and  privates  J.  R.  Wil 
liams,  S.  T.  Perry,  J.  C.  Stacy,  G.  W.  Braman,  and  T. 
H.  B.  Fales,  to  corporal;  7th,  Sergeant  Nason  of  H  to 


*According  to  the  order-book,  Sergeant  Russell  of  B  was  promoted  to  first 
•sergeant,  October  2nd,  1862.    But,  according  to  the  adjutant-general's  report, 
Sergeant  Russell  was  promoted  to  second  lieutenant,  July  24th,  1862.    By  order, 
«flated  November  28th,  he  was  assigned  as  second  lieutenant  to  Company  B. 
U 


158  SECOND    RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Feb., 

first  sergeant,  Corporals  Nicholas  and  Woodmancy  to 
sergeant,  and  privates  T.  W.  May  and  D.  W.  Nicholas 
to  corporal;  November  1st,  Corporal  J.  H.  Phillips  of 
F  to  sergeant,  and  privates  John  Kelly,  James  Cromley, 
W.  T.  Shackley,  William  F.  Foster,  of  F,  and  J.  A. 
Phillips,  G.  L.  Hopkins,  Peter  Sault,  and  James  Moffitt, 
of  I,  to  corporal;  13th,  Corporals  Can*  and  Howarth  of 
B  to  sergeant,  and  privates  Francis  McCaughey  and  T. 
A.  Goldsmith  to  corporal;  Corporal  W.  C.  Webb  of  D  to 
sergeant,  and  privates  H.  H.  Martin,  S.  B.  Durfee,  and 
S.  A.  Bates,  to  corporal;  Corporals  Durfee  and  Peck  of 
D  to  lance-sergeant,  and  privates  H.  T.  Mason,  Lindsay 
Anderson,  and  Benjamin  Blackman,  to  lance-corporal; 
private  James  Stanley  of  E  to  sergeant,  and  J.  J.  Ray- 
nor  and  W.  J.  Babcock  to  corporal;  28th,  Sergeant 
Clarke  of  F  to  first  sergeant,  Corporal  Robertson  to  ser 
geant,  and  private  R.  L.  Salisbury  to  corporal;  Corporal 
Hull  of  D  to  sergeant,  and  Lance-Corporal  Mason  to  cor 
poral;  Sergeant  Lyons  of  E  to  first  sergeant,  Corporal  T. 
F.  Holland  to  sergeant,  and  private  C.  H.  Ressler  of  E 
to  corporal;  December  22nd,  Corporals  McLaughlin  and 
Taft  of  C  to  sergeant,  and  privates  James  Morgan,  John 
Blair,  E.  D.  Kellogg,  Archibald  Stalker,  Percy  Miller, 
and  B.  G.  Potter  to  corporal,  and  private  George  A. 
Pearce  of  F  to  corporal;  30th,  Sergeant  Nichols  of  B 
to  first  sergeant,  and  Corporal  Bishop  to  sergeant. 

February  21st,  18G3,  private  Jotham  Waterman  of  F 
was  promoted  to  corporal;  22nd,  Sergeants  Gleason  of  A 
and  Wood  of  F  to  first  sergeant,  Color-Corporal  J.  C. 
Hall  of  F  and  Corporal  Moon  of  A  to  sergeant,  Corporal 
Shuckley  of  F  to  color-corporal,  and  privates  Richard 
Nichols  of  A  and  G.  W.  Crowell  of  F  to  corporal;  March 
7th,  private  A.  J.  Aldrich  of  A  to  corporal;  21st,  Corporal 
John  Kelly  of  F  to  sergeant,  and  privates  A.  R.  Tupper 


1863.]  CHANGES   AND   COMPLICATIONS.  159 

and  D.  A.  Handy  to  corporal;  April  1st,  Sergeant  J.  F. 
Bo  wen  of  D  to  first  sergeant,  Lance-Sergeants  Durfee 
and  Peck  to  sergeant,  and  Lance-Corporals  Anderson 
and  Blackman  to  corporal;  Corporals  G.  T.  Easterbrooks 
and  Bourn  of  G  to  sergeant,  to  date  from  November  1st, 
1862,  and  privates  R.  E.  Gardner  and  H.  A.  Carter  of 
D,  John  Lawrence  of  G,  and  James  A.  King  of  H,  to  cor 
poral;  18th,  Corporal  P.  Whelan  of  A  to  sergeant,  and 
private  James  McKay  to  corporal;  21st,  Corporal  Cham 
berlain  of  I  to  sergeant,  and  privates  Robert  Toye,  Frank 
S.  Halliday,  Thomas  Brennan,  of  G,  and  C.  W.  Cory 
of  I,  to  corporal.  The  following  were  discharged :  Jan 
uary  17th,  1862,  Corporal  Seamans  of  C;  March  24th, 
Corporal  Searle  of  A;  August  25th,  Sergeant  Phillips  of 
B;  September  10th,  Sergeant  McLaren  of  B;  23rd,  Ser 
geant  Knight  of  B;  25th,  Corporal  Brayshaw  of  I;  26th, 
Corporal  J.  H.  Bennett  of  F;  27th,  Sergeant  Kruger  of 
D;  October  5th,  Corporal  Howard  of  K;  27th,  Corporal 
Patt  of  F;  November  24th,  Corporal  O'Neill  of  F;  De 
cember  13th,  Corporal  Kidder  of  F;  January  21st,  1863, 
Corporal  Maker  of  F;  29th,  Corporal  Adams  of  I;  Feb 
ruary  25th,  Corporal  Clifford  of  I;  March  6th,  Sergeant 
Hawkins  of  I;  7th,  Corporal  Lewis  of  A;  20th,  Sergeant 
Dawley  of  A;  25th,  Corporal  W.  P.  Slocum  of  K. 
Private  George  L.  Smith  of  D  was  discharged,  March 
16th,  1862,  to  accept  a  commission  of  second  lieutenant, 
Third  Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery.  The  following 
died:  March  16th,  1863,  Sergeant  Hall  of  F;  April 
llth,  Corporal  Hunt  of  K. 


160  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.       [April, 


CHAPTER   XI. 

SALEM   HEIGHTS. 


J^ENERAL  Hooker,  on  taking  command  of  the  Army 
r  I7  of  the  Potomac,  was  determined  upon  achieving  a 
M.  great  and  decisive  victory.  With  a  peculiarly  active 
and  energetic  spirit,  already  distinguished  for  great 
personal  daring,  very  skillful  in  handling  a  corps,  he 
inspired,  in  the  hearts  of  his  soldiers,  a  remarkable 
admiration.  During  the  period,  which  the  army  spent 
in  winter  quarters,  he  was  indefatigable  in  his  endeavors 
to  put  his  command  into  a  high  state  of  efficiency.  He 
employed  his  cavalry  in  attacks  and  expeditions,  directed 
against  the  enemy's  lines  of  communication,  whenever 
the  state  of  the  roads  would  permit  a  movement.  His 
artillery  he  considered  superior  to  the  corresponding  arm 
in  the  foe  he  was  to  fight.  But  his  infantry  he  regarded 
as  below  that  of  General  Lee  in  steadiness  and  discipline. 
His  efforts,  therefore,  were  directed  to  the  especial  im 
provement  of  this  department  of  his  army,  and  he  felt 
assured,  that,  in  all  departments,  a  very  decided  improve 
ment  was  speedily  becoming  manifest.  "  During  the 
time  allowed  me  for  preparation,"  lie  says,  "the  army 
made  rapid  strides  in  discipline,  instruction  and  morale, 


18G3.]  >AI.I:.M   HEIGHTS.  11)1 

and  early  in  April  was  in  a  condition  to  inspire  the  high 
est  expectations.  All  were  actuated  by  feelings  of  confi 
dence  and  devotion  to  the  cause,  and  I  felt,  that  it  was  a 
living  army,  and  one  well  worthy  of  the  Republic." 

On  the  13th  of  April  the  cavalry  commenced  moving, 
intending  to  strike  at  Kelly's  Ford.  They  inarched  for 
two  days,  threw  a  division  across  at  Rappahannoek 
Station,  but,  on  the  rising  of  the  river,  were  compelled 
to  withdraw'  to  the  north  bank.  Here  they  remained  in 
position  until  the  latter  part  of  the  month.  Genera) 
Hooker's  plan  now  was,  to  "throw  a  sufficient  force  of 
infantry  across  at  Kelly's  Ford,  to  descend  the  Rappa 
hannoek,  and  knock  away  the  enemy's  forces  holding  the 
United  States  and  Banks's  Fords,  by  attacking  them  in 
the  rear,  and,  as  soon  as  these  fords  were  opened,  to 
reenforce  the  marching  column,"  and  so  fall  upon  the 
enemy's  flank,  with  the  hope  of  routing  him.  "  Simul 
taneously  with  the  movement  on  the  right,  the  left  was 
to  cross  the  Rappahannoek  below,"  or  at  "Fredericks.- 
burg,  and  threaten  the  enemy  in  that  quarter."  In?, 
pursuance  of  this  plan,  the  Eleventh,  Twelfth,  Second, 
and  Fifth  Corps,  on  the  27th  and  28th  of  April,  moved 
out  of  camp  and  up  the  river  bank.  On  the  night  of  the 
28th  they  bivouacked,  mostly  in  the  vicinity  of  Kelly's 
Ford.  The  Second  Corps  halted  in  the  rear  of  the- 
United  States  and  Banks's  Fords.  On  the  same  night 
the  Eleventh  Corps  crossed  the  Rappahannoek,  followed, 
the  next  morning,  by  the  Twelfth  and  Fifth  Corps,  and 
immediately  pushed  on  across  the  Rapidan,  at  Germ  an  ia 
and  Ely's  Fords.  On  the  30th  the  Fifth  Corps  brushed 
away  the  enemy  at  the  United  States  Ford,  laid  bridges, 
and,  marching  to  Chancellorsville,  joined  the  remainder 
of  the  right  wing  of  the  army,  and  formed  line  of  battle. 
By  this  movement,  and  by  an  advance  on  the  1st  of 
14* 


162  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.       [April, 

May,  it  was  hoped,  that  Banks's  Ford  would  be  uncov 
ered,  and  communications  established  at  that  point. 

Meanwhile,  according  to  instructions  from  the  general 
in  command,  General  Sedgwick,  commanding  the  left 
wing,  moved  his  own  corps,  the  Sixth,  together  with 
General  Reynolds's  corps,  the  First,  and  one  division  of 
the  Second  Corps,  to  the  bank  of  the  Rappahannock, 
below  Fredericksburg.  Bridges  were  laid  at  Franklin's 
Crossing  and  at  Pollock's  Mills,  during  the  night  of  the 
28th-29th.  On  the  morning  of  the  29th  General  Sedg 
wick  crossed  one  division  of  his  command.  The  Third 
Corps,  which  had  supported  this  movement,  as  soon  as  it 
was  accomplished,  marched  up  to  the  United  States 
Ford,  and  crossed,  in  support  of  the  operations  on  the 
right.  On  the  30th  General  Sedgwick  made  reconnois- 
sances  of  the  enemy's  line  in  his  front,  and  ascertained, 
that  the  defences  were  held  in  force.  On  the  1st  of  May 
the  position  of  the  army  was  as  follows:  the  Eleventh, 
Twelfth,  Fifth,  and  two  divisions  of  the  Second  Corps, 
were  in  and. about  Chancellorsville;  the  Third  Corps  was 
en  route  for  the  same  point;  the  Sixth  and  First  Corps 
and  General  Gibbon's  division  of  the  Second  Corps  were 
at  Franklin's  Crossing,  a  portion  of  the  command  across 
the  river,  making  demonstrations  against  the  enemy 
there.  Every  movement  had  been  skillfully  and  rapidly 
made,  and  the  prospects  for  success  were  remarkably 
good.  It  is  true,  that  the  right  and  left  wings  of  the 
army  were  divided.  The  right  was  somewhat  entangled 
in  the  dense  forest  around  Chancellorsville;  the  left  had 
a  line  of  entrenchments  disputing  its  progress.  But 
General  Hooker  hoped,  that,  while  he  attacked  the  enemy 
in  front,  General  Sedgwick  would  fall  upon  his  rear. 
But  General  Hooker  did  not  attack.  On  the  contrary, 
he  was  attacked  and  beaten  back,  on  the  2nd  and  3rd  of 


1803.]  -\l.K\l    EKIOHT8.  163 

May;  General  Reynolds,  with  the  First  Corps,  took  up 
the  bridges  at  Pollock's  Mills,  and  moved  to  the  right,  to 
reenforce  the  army  there;  General  Sedgwick,  after  gain 
ing  a  temporary  advantage,  was  forced  to  retire  by  way 
of  Banks's  Ford,  and  barely  succeeded  in  saving  his 
command,  as  is  now  to  be  narrated. 

General  Lee,  leaving  a  sufficient  force  in  his  defences 
at  Fredericksburg  to  hold  General  Sedgwick  in  check,, 
moved  out  to  meet  General  Hooker  and  give  him  battle* 
On  the  1st  of  May,  as  General  Hooker's  advance  was 
about  to  move  out  on  the  plank  road  leading  to  Fred 
ericksburg,  it  was  met  by  General  Lee's  advance,  and  was 
immediately  withdrawn  to  its  former  line.  Here  General 
Lee  made  a  slight  attack,  and  was  easily  repulsed.  Por 
tions  of  the  Twelfth  and  Fifth  Corps  were  engaged  in 
skirmishing,  but  no  severe  fighting  wras  done  on  either 
side.  Through  the  latter  part  of  the  night  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  2nd,  General  Jackson  moved  his 
corps  along  our  front,  evidently  aiming  at  our  extreme 
right  flank.  Two  divisions  of  the  Third  Corps,  under 
General  Sickles,  struck  his  rear  during  this  movement, 
but,  without  inflicting  any  severe  damage  upon  the 
enemy,  placed  themselves  in  a  very  critical  position,  from 
which  they  were  enabled  after  nightfall  to  withdraw. 

About  an  hour  before  sunset  on  the  2nd  General  Jack 
son  fell  upon  the  Eleventh  Corps,  doubled  it  up,  thrust. 
it  back,  broke  it  in  pieces,  and  sent  it  flying,  almost 
panic-stricken,  to  the  rear,  along  the  line  of  defence. 
The  position,  which  the  unfortunate  corps  had  occupied, 
was  considered  by  General  Hooker  to  be  the  key  of  the 
whole.  It  was  the  commanding  point,  and,  once  in  the 
possession  of  the  enemy,  threatened  General  Hooker's 
entire  line.  If  retained  by  the  enemy,  the  army  was 
sadly  imperilled.  The  commanding  general  made  no 


164  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.          [May, 

attempt  to  retake  the  point,  but  stood  upon  his  defence 
in  what  he  felt  to  be  an  untenable  position,  meanwhile 
preparing  to  retire  upon  a  new  line.  During  the  night 
General  Jackson,  making  a  reconnoissance  toward  our 
lines,  was  shot  and  mortally  wounded.  No  greater  per 
sonal  calamity  could  have  befallen  the  enemy  than  the 
death  of  this  brave  and  energetic  officer.  He  served  the 
rebel  cause  with  an  enthusiasm  amounting  to  fanaticism, 
and  his  loss  to  General  Lee  was  like  lopping  off  his  right 
arm.  Yet  General  Jackson's  death  did  not  retard  the 
enemy's  operations.  On  the  morning  of  the  3rd  the 
attack,  which  General  Hooker  now  expected,  was  made. 
Our  troops  were  badly  used.  Hooker  himself  was 
wounded,  by  the  falling  of  a  pillar  supporting  a  veranda, 
and  what  little  hope  of  success  that  remained  was  gone. 
The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  gradually  forced  back  to 
a  position  in  the  rear,  toward  the  river.  The  losses  were 
very  large,  and,  after  a  reconnoissance  on  the  4th,  Gen 
eral  Hooker  decided  to  withdraw.  During  the  night  of 
the  5th-6th  the  command  recrossed,  and  the  army 
returned  to  camp. 

General  Sedgwick's  position,  with  the  Sixth  Corps 
and  Gibbon's  division  of  the  Second,  on  the  1st  of  May, 
was  at  Franklin's  Crossing,  one  division  across  the  river, 
with  about  25,000  men.  General  Eeynolds,  with  the 
First  Corps,  as  has  been  already  stated,  was  called  to  the 
right  to  reenforce  General  Hooker's  operations.  Sedg- 
wick,  having  been  ordered  to  move  up  the  Bowling  Green 
road,  put  the  remainder  of  the  Sixth  Corps  across,  and 
marched  against  the  enemy's  lines  in  that  quarter,  on  the 
2nd.  Late  on  that  night  he  received  a  peremptory  order 
to  march  to  Chancellorsville,  by  way  of  Fredericksburg, 
"attacking  and  destroying  any  force"  he  might  "meet 
on  the  road."  All  trains,  except  that  for  carrying  small 


18G3.]  SALEM    HEIGHTS.  165 

ammunition,  were  to  be  left  behind.  A  rapid  march  was 
expected  to  be  made,  so  that  Sedgwick  could  arrive  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Hooker's  position  by  daylight  on  the 
3rd.  General  Hooker  supposed,  that  the  Sixth  Corps 
was  "  on  the  north  bank  of  the  liappahannock,"  although 
he  had  previously  ordered  Sedgwick  to  throw  his  "whole 
force  on  the  Bowling  Green  road."  The  order  for 
advance  was  received  at  11  o'clock,  p.  M.,  on  the  2nd, 
and  General  Sedgwick  immediately  put  his  command  in 
motion.  Gibbon  was  sent  up  to  cross  the  river  at  Fred- 
ericksburg.  Sedgwick  moved  the  Sixth  Corps  directly 
upon  the  town.  He  was  then  about  three  miles  below 
Fredericksburg,  and  fourteen  miles  distant  from  Hook 
er's  position,  with  Lee's  entire  army  between,  and,  in  his 
immediate  front,  holding  the  fortified  crest,  Early's 
command,  consisting  of  six  brigades.  It  was  necessary 
for  Sedgwick  to  carry  and  cross  the  crest,  in  order  to- 
advance  and  effect  a  junction  with  the  main  body  of  the 
army.  Marching  and  skirmishing  through  the  night,  he 
succeeded  in  occupying  and  passing  through  the  town. 
At  daylight  on  the  3rd  he  found  himself  in  front  of  the 
enemy's  formidable  works  on  Marye's  Heights,  which  the 
right  grand  division  had  vainly  essayed  to  carry  in  Decem 
ber.  Line  of  battle  was  formed,  the  Second  Regiment 
temporarily  attached  to  Gibbon's  division  on  the  right, 
and  supporting  Battery  B,  First  Rhode  Island  Light 
Artillery,  then  under  command  of  First  Lieutenant  T. 
Fred.  Brown,  and  Battery  G,  Captain  George  W.  Adams, 
and  storming  parties  were  organized.  The  position  could 
not  be  turned  on  either  flank,  and  a  direct  assault  was 
imperative. 

Two  columns  were  formed  —  the  right  consisting  of 
the  Gist  Pennsylvania,  Colonel  Spear  in  command,  and 
the  43rd  New  York,  supported  by  the  67th  New  York 


166  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [May, 

and  82nd  Pennsylvania;  the  left  consisting  of  the  7th 
Massachusetts,  Colonel  Johns  in  command,  and  the  36th 
New  York,  with  the  5th  Wisconsin,  6th  Maine,  31st. 
New  York,  and  23rd  Pennsylvania,  in  support  in  line  of 
battle.  The  troops  were  selected  from  the  different 
divisions  of  the  corps.  By  11  o'clock  the  batteries  were- 
f airly  at  work,  and  a  lively  artillery  engagement  was  in 
progress.  As  the  enemy's  guns  were  silenced,  the  storm 
ing  columns  advanced  up  the  plank  road  and  to  the 
right  of  it.  The  line  of  battle  pushed  up  on  the  left, 
and  succeeded  in  driving  the  enemy  out  of  his  rifle-pits.. 
Now  came  the  brunt  of  the  battle.  Received  with  a. 
storm  of  shot  and  shell,  the  troops  gallantly  made  their 
way  up  the  slope.  It  was  the  great  "  slaughter-pen"  of 
the  December  fight.  The  lines  would  waver,  as  men  and 
officers  fell  on  all  sides.  Even  the  heads  of  the  columns 
would  break,  but  were  quickly  rallied  again.  Colonel 
Spear  of  the  61st  Pennsylvania,  who  was  leading  the- 
riglit  storming  column,  fell  mortally  wounded.  At  the 
same  time,  Colonel  Johns  of  the  7th  Massachusetts,  lead 
ing  the  left  column,  was  severely  hurt.  Still  the  assault 
was  vigorously  pushed,  and,  amid  cheers  and  shouts,  the 
"  stone  wall "  was  readied  and  scaled.  On  through  the 
Marye  grounds  and  up  the  hill  steadily  went  our  men,. 
every  foot  of  their  progress  obstinately  disputed  and 
marked  with  blood.  At  last  they  reached  the  works,, 
climbed  over  the  parapet,  took  the  rebel  gunners  at  their 
posts,  and  turned  the  guns  upon  the  retreating  enemy. 

As  soon  as  the  assaulting  columns  had  pierced  the 
enemy's  line  'of  works,  General  Sedgwick  ordered  a, 
LIT  iii-nil  advance.  The  Second  directed  its  attention  to  a, 
hill  occupied  by  a  rebel  force,  upon  the  extreme  right  of 
our  line,  and,  with  the  aid  of  another  regiment  of 
Gibbon's  command,  quickly  pushed  the  enemy  from  his 


18C3.]  SALEM    HEIGHTS.  167. 

position.  Having  thus  done  its  work  in  this  quarter,  the 
Regiment  was  detached  from  Gibbon's  division,  which 
was  sent  down  to  the  river,  and  returned  to  its  own 
brigade.  A  second  line  of  intrenchments  frowned  above, 
but  the  men  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  elated  with  their  success,, 
made  short  work  of  the  remaining  obstructions.  They 
pressed  up  the  plank  road,  pursuing  the  enemy,  now  in. 
full  retreat,  taking  many  prisoners.  Meanwhile,  General 
Howe  on  the  left,  with  his  division,  had  carried  the 
works  in  his  front,  capturing  guns  and  prisoners.  The 
whole  line  of  the  crest  was  now  in  our  possession,  and 
General  Sedgwick,  having  surmounted  the  first  difficulty 
in  his  way,  was  prepared  to  go  forward  to  Chancellors- 
ville.  He  put  the  entire  command  in  motion  for  pursuit 
without  delay,  and  marched  rapidly  up  the  plank  road. 

But  the  day  was  not  yet  over.  Farther  up  there  was  a 
strong  position,  which  was  held  by  the  enemy  in  force. 
The  plank  road,  after  passing  Marye's,  climbs  the  hills 
in  the  rear,  bearing  westerly,  and  extends  through  Chan- 
cellorsville  to  Orange  Court  House.  It  was  the  shortest 
way  from  Sedgwick's  position  to  Hooker's  field  of  action. 
The  first  difficulty  had  been  overcome.  But  the  second 
was  not  so  easy  of  removal.  On  the  left  of  the  road, 
upon  the  crest  of  the  bill,  about  three  miles  above  the- 
first  battlefield,  stood  a  little  chapel,  bearing  the  name  of 
Salem,  synonyme  of  peace,  and  the  little  range  of  hills 
was  called  Salem  Heights.  To  this  point  Early  with 
drew  his  command,  upon  being  ousted  from  his  works  at 
Marye's,  and,  moving  up  a  brigade,  which  had  been 
watching  Bauks's  Ford,  and  reenforced  by  other  troops 
from  the  main  body  of  Lee's  army,  here  he  made  a  stand. 
General  Sedgwick  was  brought  to  a  halt  about  the  middle 
of  the  afternoon.  A  fierce  battle  immediately  ensued. 
The  enemy  held  the  woods  and  heights  in  good  numbers; 


168  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [May, 

continually  augmented   by   arrivals   from   the   army  at 
Chancellorsville. 

The  enemy's  line  of  battle  was  formed,  with  its  right 
resting  in  front  of  Salem  chapel,  and  thence  running 
diagonally  across  the  road  and  the  fields  beyond,  to  a 
piece  of  woods,  which  gave  an  admirable  cover.  General 
Sedgwick  formed  his  line  with  Brooks's  division,  which 
was  leading  the  column,  across  the  road,  and  Newton's 
on  his  right.  Howe's  division  was  placed  on  the  extreme 
left.  Colonel  Brown  of  the  36th  New  York  was  still  in 
command  of  the  brigade.  The  Second  was  in  the  rear 
of  the  brigade,  and  was  thus  the  last  regiment  to  come 
upon  the  field.  On  the  extreme  right  of  the  line  was  a 
brigade  of  New  Jersey  troops.  Brown's  brigade,  with  a 
battery  of  artillery,  was  held  in  reserve,  near  a  small 
house  upon  the  right  of  the  road.  With  this  disposition 
the  battle  began,  and  at  once  became  hot  and  angry. 
Our  men  had  been  skirmishing,  marching,  and  fighting, 
pretty  nearly  all  the  time  since  11  o'clock  of  the  previous 
night;  the  enemy  was  comparatively  fresh,  and  was 
constantly  receiving  accessions  of  strength.  Still  the 
men  of  the  Sixth  stood  well  up  to  their  work,  and  did 
their  best  to  clear  the  road.  The  reserve  was  called  upon, 
as  the  enemy  showed  himself  the  superior,  and  checked, 
stopped,  and  finally  broke  our  first  line  of  battle.  The 
36th  New  York,  the  7th  and  37th  Massachusetts  were 
put  into  the  fight.  Colonel  Brown  fell  wounded,  and 
the  command  devolved  upon  Colonel  Eustis.  The  10th 
Massachusetts  was  now  sent  in.  The  Second  was  left 
with  directions  to  wait  for  orders.  The  aspect  of  affairs 
grew  more  and  more  serious.  On  the  right  it  seemed  as 
though  some  great  disaster  was  impending.  Fugitives, 
from  the  field  in  front  lu'iran  to  multiply.  They  came 
running  back,  throwing  away  their  arms  and  accoutre- 


18G3.]  SALEM:  HEIGHTS.  100 

ments.  The  battery,  with  other  artillery,  hastily  lim 
bered  up,  and  went  off  to  the  rear.  Our  line  was 
crumbling  away,  and  the  officers  were  busy  in  rallying 
and  forming  a  second  line  upon  the  position  of  the 
reserves. 

Just  then  came  riding  down  the  road  General  Xewton. 
and  a  few  staff  officers.  "What  regiment,  colonel?" 
he  inquired,  not  recognizing  the  Second  at  first  amid  the 
dust  and  smoke.  "The  Second  Rhode  Island,  sir," 
replied  Colonel  Rogers,  "directed  to  remain  here  to  wait 
for  orders."  "Move  your  regiment  at  once  to  the  right, 
beyond  that  house,"  pointing  to  it  with  a  wave  of  the 
hand.  "  Our  men  are  badly  pressed,  and  need  aid. 
Hurry  up  and  help  them!"  This  was  all  that  was 
needed,  and  the  Regiment,  long  before  this  impatient  to 
be  in  the  fray,  was  instantly  advanced  in  line  of  battle, 
wheeling  up  to  make  connection  with  the  10th  Massa 
chusetts,  posted  on  the  right  of  the  second  line,  holding 
a  hill,  which  there  gave  a  good  position.  Down  came 
one  of  our  regiments  from  the  front,  broken  and  in 
disorder,  rushing  through  the  ranks  of  the  Second,  and 
causing  a  temporary  derangement.  Quickly  closing  up, 
the  Regiment  swung  up  to  the  right  of  the  10th  Massa 
chusetts,  now  engaging  the  enemy  in  front.  But  the 
hill  was  not  large  enough  to  extend  the  line,  and  a 
shoulder  of  it  hid  the  enemy  from  view.  The  three 
companies  on  the  left,  under  Major  Jencks,  made  their 
connection  with  the  10th,  and  with  that  regiment  com 
menced  firing  upon  the  enemy.  The  seven  remaining 
companies  with  Colonel  Rogers  moved  farther  to  the 
right  and  front,  across  the  field  and  a  brook  which 
traversed  it,  and  came  out  in  clear  sight  of  the  entire 
battle. 

Colonel  Rogers  found,  that  the  position,  which  he  had 
15 


170  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.          [May, 

thus  gained,  was  admirable  for  flanking  the  enemy.  The 
Regiment  really  overlapped  the  rebel  left,  and  was  several 
hundred  yards  to  the  right  of  our  own  line,  which  rested 
near  the  house  on  the  hill,  where  the  three  other  com 
panies  were.  In  the  woods  to  the  right  and  well  to  the 
front,  was  flying  an  American  flag,  betokening  the 
presence  of  some  of  our  troops.  In  front  was  a  confused 
mass  of  the  enemy,  without  formation.  A  fragment  of 
the  loth  New  Jersey  was  found  in  the  field,  and,  attach 
ing  it  to  his  command,  Colonel  Rogers  opened  fire  upon 
the  squads  of  the  enemy  in  front  and  on  the  left  flank. 
Never  was  a  more  opportune  movement  and  attack. 
The  enemy  was  puzzled  to  know  its  meaning.  Was  it  a 
reinforcement?  Was  it  an  attack  upon  the  flank?  The 
Regiment  delivered  its  fire  handsomely.  The  relief  upon 
our  own  hard-pressed  troops  was  instantaneous.  It 
checked  the  enemy  at  once,  and  the  second  line  was 
formed  and  developed,  making  the  position  secure.  Had 
the  other  regiments  on  the  right  of  the  line  been  prompt  1  v 
moved  over  to  support  this  attack,  it  is  possible  that  the 
battle  might  have  been  restored  and  a  brilliant  victory 
won.  As  it  was,  the  diversion  was  most  fortunate  for 
the  Sixth  Corps. 

But  that  was  not  all.  Out  of  the  woods  came  hurrying 
an  officer.  "  For  God's  sake,  colonel,  come  over  and  help 
us  out!"  It  was  the  adjutant  of  a  New  Jersey  regiment, 
which  was  alone  in  the  woods,  and  almost  out  of  ammu 
nition.  There  was  no  time  to  lose.  The  only  orders, 
which  Colonel  Rogers  had  received,  were  to  hurry  up  and 
help  the  distressed  troops  on  the  right  flank.  Here  was 
a  case  that  needed  help.  The  Regiment  was  immedi 
ately  put  in  motion  for  a  charge,  with  company  officers 
in  i'nmt,  and  the  colonel  leading.  Away  it  went  across 
the  field  to  the  front  and  right,  scattering  the  squads  of 


1863.]  SALEM   HEIGHTS.  171 

the  enemy  and  driving  them  in  confusion,  plunged  into 
the  woods,  and  soon  ranged  up  by  the  side  of  the  NY\v 
Jersey  men,  who  were  overjoyed  at  receiving  the  timely 
succor.  They  had  been  left  behind  when  the  first  line 
was  broken,  and  had  been  maintaining  an  unequal  con 
test,  gallantly  holding  on  till  relief  should  come,  with 
now  but  a  few  cartridges  left. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Read  was  sent  for  the  three  remain 
ing  companies  and  other  support.  The  Xew  Jersey  regi 
ment  fell  back  through  the  ranks  of  the  Second,  which 
at  once  closed  up  the  line  and  prepared  to  open  fire. 
Colonel  Rogers  seized  the  flag,  placed  it  in  position,  and 
the  men  formed  up  to  it  without  delay.  The  enemy's  line 
was  within  short  range,  partially  sheltered  by  a  picket 
fence,  and  the  fire  was  hot  and  withering.  Our  men, 
lying  on  the  ground,  replied  as  warmly,  and  the  contest 
\\as  fierce  and  bloody.  As  the  ranks  would  occasionally 
waver  amid  the  deadly  storm,  Colonel  Rogers  would  take 
the  colors  forward  and  rally  the  Regiment  around  them, 
to  >traighten  the  line.  Nobly  did  the  men  respond  to  the 
orders  and  encouragement  of  the  officers,  and  no  better 
fighting  was  done  that  day  than  in  this  isolated  position 
in  the  woods.  Colonel  Rogers,  judging  that  the  sup 
ports  were  near,  withdrew  the  Regiment  slowly  and 
steadily  to  the  edge  of  the  woods,  where  it  met  the  three 
left  companies  and  the  10th  Massachusetts  coming  up. 
AVith  hearty  cheers  was  the  reeuforcement  received,  and 
then,  recovering  the  wounded,  the  command  retired 
across  the  brook  to  the  hill  by  the  house,  from  the 
neighborhood  of  which  the  Regiment  had  started.  The 
enemy  did  not  attempt  to  follow,  and  the  night  fell  upon 
the  combatants. 

"The  Regiment  did  splendidly,"  says  Colonel  Rogers, 
in  his  report.  "Nothing  could  have  surpassed  the 


172  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.          [May,. 

determination  with  which  they  advanced  to  the  extreme 
front,  when  a  regiment  was  flying  panic-stricken  through 
their  ranks;  the  gallantry  with  which  they  drove  back 
the  rebels;  the  pertinacity  with  which  they  held  their 
ground  until  support  could  come  up;  and  the  excellent 
order  and  spirits  with  which  they  retired  when  ordered 
back.  This  Regiment  as  much,  or  more  than  any  other, 
contributed  toward  checking  the  enemy,  when  our  forces 
were  being  driven  on  the  right.  It  saved  the  New  Jersey 
regiment  in  the  woods  from  annihilation  and  probable 
capture."  Lieutenant-Colonel  Read  and  Major  Jencks 
are  spoken  of  as  having  rendered  most  efficient  service. 
The  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men,  on  that  trying  day, 
was  a  fine  illustration  of  soldierly  bearing  and  discipline. 
Thenceforward  there  was  no  question  of  the  ability  of  the- 
new  commander.  In  the  heat  of  battle  all  questions  in, 
controversy  were  fully  solved.  The  Regiment  had  done 
its  work  in  the  face  of  the  whole  division,  and  General 
NY \vton  highly  and  cordially  complimented  it,  as  having, 
in  great  measure,  saved  the  fortunes  of  the  field. 

Letters  from  the  Regiment,  published  at  the  time,, 
all  concur  in  warm  expressions  of  praise  of  the  conduct 
of  the  colonel  and  his  subordinate  officers.  "Every  eye 
was  upon  our  colonel,"  says  one  writer,  in  the  Providence 
Journal  of  the  14th  of  May,  "for  he  had  never  been 
under  fire  with  us,  and  we  knew  him  only  by  reputation. 
'Forward,  Second  Rhode  Island!'  was  the  word,  and 
away  we  went  in  line  of  battle  to  the  brow  pf  the  hill. 
(Jaining  the  crest,  we  gave  the  enemy  a  volley,  and 
received  his  fire  in  return.  Forward  again,  and  we 
charged  down  the  hill  with  loud  cheers.  We  were  soon 
in  the  woods  and  hotly  engaged.  Three  times  Colonel 
Rogers  carried  the  colors  to  the  front,  and,  aided  by  the 
officers,  rallied  the  Regiment  to  renew  the  battle.  He  is 


18G3.]  SALEM    HKKiHTS. 

a  brave  man,  and  the  Second  Rhode  Island  is  more  than 
satisfied  with  him.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Read  and  Major 
Jencks  behaved  with  great  gallantry,  and  we  feel,  that 
we  have  three  field  officers  that  we  can  confidently  follow 
in  battle.  Too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  to  Corporals 
Kelley  and  Flier,  for  the  gallant  manner  in  which  they 
carried  our  colors  through  the  entire  battle.  All  the 
officers  and  men  behaved  bravely,  and  we  have  the 
credit  of  saving  the  army  from  a  stampede."  Another 
letter  mentions  with  commendation  Captain  Young, 
who  was  assistant  adjutant-general  for  Colonel  Brown  at 
the  time,  and  Lieutenant  Bradford,  acting  as  aide  to 
General  Wheaton,  who  was  in  command  of  the  3rd  divi 
sion. 

But  all  this  severe  fighting  was  destined  to  come  to> 
naught.  General  Sedgwick  had  done  the  best  he  coulcL 
But  it  was  manifestly  impossible  for  him  to  form  a 
junction  with  Hooker  by  pursuing  the  route  he  had 
taken.  General  Lee  was  at  full  liberty  now  to  detach  a 
sufficient  number  of  troops  to  drive  Sedgwick  across  the 
river,  or  possibly  to  capture  his  command.  A  force  of 
the  enemy  came  round  to  our  rear,  reoccupied  the 
heights  of  Fredericksburg,  and  threatened  our  communi 
cations  with  Banks's  Ford.  It  was  necessary  to  withdraw. 
Through  Monday  Sedgwick  held  on  to  his  position, 
gradually  edging  off  toward  the  river.  But  every  mo 
ment's  delay  increased  his  peril.  Skirmishing,  fighting, 
retreating  —  the  Second  in  the  rear  —  he  fell  back  to  the 
ford.  It  was  a  movement  fraught  with  danger.  A  mis 
step  would  have  been  fatal.  But  Banks's  Ford  was 
gained,  and,  during  the  night  of  the  4th-5th,  the  corps 
succeeded  in  crossing.  The  corps  remained  in  position 
on  the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahaunock  for  the  next 
three  or  four  days.  The  Regiment  was  engaged  in 
15* 


174  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.          [May, 

picket  duty  and  in  guarding  the  pontons,  most  of  the 
time  in  a  heavy  rain  storm  —  a  most  uncomfortable  and 
trying  task.  The  river  was  narrow,  and  the  enemy  wa>: 
in  pretty  close  neighborhood  —  within  hailing  distance, 
indeed,  and  disposed  to  shell  all  troops  that  appeared  in 
sight.  On  the  8th,  with  the  rest  of  the  army,  it  returned, 
to  its  former  camp.  For  eleven  days  the  officers  and  men 
had  not  taken  off  even  their  shoes,  and  were  more  than 
once  wet  through  to  the  skin.  Yet,  in  despatches  dated 
the  10th,  they  were  declared  to  be  "in  fine  health  and 
spirits." 

Lieutenant  SoutliAvick  gave  an  interesting  account  of 
the  battle  and  the  withdrawal.  "It  was  late  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  3rd  that  the  fighting  took  place.  That 
night  we  slept  on  the  field.  It  was  rainy  and  cold. 
Morning  opened  foggy,  but  the  day  was  hot.  Several 
were  sun-struck,  or  affected  that  way.  Xo  fighting, 
except  occasionally  on  other  parts  of  the  field,  till  3 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  Then  rapid  charges  of  grape 
and  canister,  and  cries  and  cheers  on  the  centre  and  left, 
in  the  direction  of  Fredericksburg.  Long,  dark  columns 
soon  approach,  rapidly  crossing  the  fields  to  the  rear,  but 
whether  of  our  own  troops  or  those  of  the  enemy  we 
could  not  tell.  Unhealthy  rumors  and  camp  stories  of 
the  most  improbable  kind  prevail.  The  night  drew  on 
fast,  and  at  last  we  had  orders  to  withdraw.  All  night, 
till  10  minutes  to  4  in  the  morning,  we  marched  up  hill 
and  down,  across  muddy  plains  and  over  fences,  under 
fire  of  rebel  batteries  and  in  the  thick  darkness,  to  the 
bridges  at  Banks's  Ford,  where  we  crossed,  the  last  regi 
ment  of  Sedgwick's  army  to  cross  at  Fredericksburg,  by 
the  united  testimony  of  our  generals,  instrumental  in 
saving  that  army,  and  one  of  the  last  to  leave  the  field  — 
Company  K  being  the  last  of  all  our  troops." 


1803.]  SALEM   HEIGHTS.  175> 

Private  C.  S.  Nichols  of  D,  in  his  diary,  so  speaks  of 
the  scenes  and  incidents  of  the  4th  as  to  make  it  apparent 
that,  to  the  rank  and  file,  matters  looked  serious.  There 
were  mysterious  movements  of  the  enemy.  There  was 
heavy  artillery  firing  on  both  sides  of  Sedgwick.  There 
were  indications  that  the  enemy  was  getting  possession, 
again  of  the  heights  of  Fredericksburg,  and  threatening 
our  flanks  and  rear.  No  news  came  from  Hooker,  and 
only  by  the  sound  of  the  guns  in  front  could  anything  be 
told  of  the  position  of  the  main  army.  At  one  time  there 
was  a  proposal  to  call  for  volunteers,  to  be  led,  as  was 
understood,  by  Major  Jencks,  to  open  communication 
with  Hooker,  but  the  arrival  of  a  courier  from  the 
commanding  general  put  an  end  to  the  design.  It  was 
impossible  to  go  forward.  Was  it  possible  to  go  back?' 
The  hours  wore  on  in  this  dismal  and  uncertain  way. 
But  the  unlimited  confidence  which  the  men  of  the  Sixth 
Corps  had  in  General  Sedgwick  prevented  any  symptom 
of  demoralization.  The  Regiment,  too,  believed  in  its 
colonel,  and  thus  all  waited  anxiously  but  patiently  to  see 
what  the  day  would  finally  bring  forth. 

"The  firing  in  the  afternoon  abated  somewhat.  Now 
and  then  a  shell  told  plainly  that  the  enemy  was  still  in 
our  front.  In  the  mean  time,  reinforcements  were 
pouring  in  so  rapidly  that  they  were  continually  coming 
around  our  left  flank,  thus  cutting  off  our  line  of  retreat 
to  Fredericksburg.  Such  was  the  condition  of  the  Sixth 
Corps  when  the  sun  went  down  —  with  a  powerful  army 
in  our  front  and  rear,  and  the  river  some  six  miles  away. 
But  we  had  .full  confidence  in  Sedgwick.  He  brought  us 
in,  and  we  were  willing  to  trust  to  his  better  judgment 
in  bringing  us  out.  At  dark  we  commenced  a  retrograde- 
movement,  moving-  in  the  form  of  a  square,  so  as  to  be 
ready  at  any  moment  to  fight,  in  case  we  were  attacked. 


176  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.          [May,. 

At  first  the  enemy  seemed  determined  that  we  should  not 
go.  They  soon  gave  up  that  idea,  when  they  found  that, 
the  '  Yanks '  carried  steel  upon  their  guns.  The  enemy 
continued  to  throw  shot  and  shell,"  embarrassing  the 
movement,  but  the  corps  made  good  its  retreat  to  the 
river.  Private  Nichols  gives  an  account  of  the  dangers 
of  the  crossing,  by  which  it  appears  that  the  corps  was 
followed  very  closely,  and  many  prisoners  were  doubtless 
taken.  The  enemy  had  control  of  the  heights  command 
ing  the  ford  and  the  opposite  bank.  The  total  loss  in 
the  entire  operation  of  General  Hooker  was  17,197,  of 
which  the  Sixth  Corps  numbered  4,G01,  or  a  little  more 
than  one-fourth  of  the  whole  —  a  proportion  which  shows 
the  difficulty  of  General  Sedgwick's  enterprise.  Notwith 
standing,  the  Sixth  Corps  brought  oif  the  field  nine 
captured  pieces  of  artillery  and  1,400  prisoners,  and  lost 
two  wagons  and  a  forge. 

The  gallant  bearing  of  the  Regiment  during  this  move 
ment  won  the  loud  and  hearty  commendation  of  its 
comrades  throughout  the  corps.  It  was  the  first  severe 
engagement,  in  which  the  Regiment  had  taken  part  in 
close  fighting,  since  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  It  had  done 
a  vast  deal  of  work,  in  picket  duty,  on  the  march,  in 
reserve,  and  now  its  discipline  and  steadiness  in  attack 
amply  justified  the  confidence  which  its  new  commander 
had  expressed  on  assuming  its  leadership. 

After  the  return  to  camp  Colonel  Rogers  issued  the 
following  order,  dated  on  the  10th  of  May: 

"  GENERAL  ORDERS,  No.  13. 

"COMRADES:  —  Your  colonel  congratulates  you  on 
your  gallantry.  In  the  late  brief  campaign  you  fought 
two  battles.  At  Fredericksburg  you  faithfully  performed 
the  duty  assigned  you.  In  the  next  battle  you  greatly 


1863.]  SALEM   HEIGHTS.  177" 

distinguished  yourselves.  'Salem  Heights'  might  well 
be  inscribed  upon  your  banners.  Your  bravery  saved  the 
New  Jersey  regiment  in  the  woods  from  complete  anni 
hilation  or  certain  capture.  When  other  regiments  were 
driven  back  in  disorder,  your  bold  and  determined  ad~ 
vance,  and  your  unfaltering  pertinacity,  till  support 
could  arrive,  completely  checked  an  enemy  well-nigh 
victorious.  Though  your  loss  was  heavy,  the  3rd  of 
May  was  a  bright  day  for  the  honor  of  the  Regiment. 
Your  native  state  may  well  be  proud  of  you.  Comrades! 
Your  colonel  is  more  than  satisfied  with  your  conduct. 
He  feels  it  an  honor  to  command  you." 

The  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island,  mindful  of 
those  who  were  winning  renown  for  the  state,  at  its  May 
session  in  Newport,  expressed  its  appreciation  of  the 
service  of  the  Regiment,  in  the  following  vote  of  thanks: 

"  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  General  Assembly 
be  and  they  are  hereby  presented  to  Colonel  Horatio 
Rogers,  Jr.,  and  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Second 
Regiment,  Rhode  Island  Volunteers,  for  the  gallantry 
and  bravery  which  they  displayed  at  the  battle  of  Salem 
Heights,  in  Virginia,  May  3rd,  1863,  and  for  their 
soldierly  conduct,  while  retiring  from  the  field  of  battle 
and  recrossing  the  Rappahannock;  and  that  his  excel 
lency  the  governor  be  and  he  is  hereby  requested  to 
transmit  a  copy  of  this  resolution  to  Colonel  Rogers, 
commandant  of  said  Regiment,  and  another  copy  to  the 
secretary  of  war." 

In  the  operations  thus  brought  to  an  end  the  losses  of 
the  Regiment  were  somewhat  severe.  7  killed,  68  wound 
ed,  and  8  missing  were  reported.  Two  of  the  missing 
were  afterwards  ascertained  to  be  wounded.  The  remain- 
der  were  never  heard  from,  and  it  is  supposed,  that  they 
were  killed  in  the  woods.  Among  the  killed  were  Ser- 


178  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.          [May, 

geants  Nichols  of  B  and  H.  A.  Greene  of  I,  and  Corpor 
als  Toye  of  G  and  Fales  of  K.  Second  Lieutenant  Bates 
of  I  was  very  severely  wounded  in  the  leg,  suffered  am 
putation,  and  died,  July  18th.  Among  the  wounded 
were  Captain  Turner  of  G,  who  was  discharged  for  disa 
bility,  July  21st,  Sergeants  McMahon,  Moon,  and  Whelan 
of  A,  Taf  t  of  C,  Peck  of  D,  Stanley  of  E,  Phillips  of  F, 
Mason  of  H,  Wood  and  Wight  of  I,  and  Lawton  of  K, 
and  Corporals  Rice  of  A,  Potter  and  Miller  of  C,  Thomas 
of  E,  Shackley  and  Foster  of  F,  and  King  of  H.  Cor 
poral  Goldsmith  of  B  was  reported  missing,  and  was 
probably  killed.  Thus  did  the  Regiment  signalize  its 
gallantry  on  Salem  Heights! 


1863.1  AFTER   SALEM   HEIGHTS.  179 


CHAPTER   XII. 

AFTER   SALEM   HEIGHTS. 


THROUGH  the  month  of  May  but  little  was  done 
beyond  recuperating,  after  the  severe  fighting  at 
«  Chancellorsville.  The  health  of  the  army  was  excel 
lent.  The  fine  weather  of  the  spring  cheered  and  encour 
aged  the  troops.  Nothing  daunted  by  the  untoward 
event  of  his  recent  operations,  General  Hooker,  as  soon 
as  his  army  was  in  proper  fighting  trim,  prepared  for  a 
second  attempt.  Signs  of  movement  were  to  be  wit 
nessed  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  and  it  soon  became 
evident,  that  the  summer  of  1863  was  not  to  pass  in 
inaction.  By  the  1st  of  June  the  army  began  to  get 
again  upon  its  legs.  All  furloughs  and  leaves  of  absence 
were  stopped,  and  every  preparation  was  made  for  once 
more  taking  the  offensive. 

"Everything indicates,"  says  one  correspondent,  dating 
June  5th,  "a  vigorous  resumption  of  the  campaign  that 
lately  terminated  in  our  withdrawal  from  over  the  river. 
We  are  all  packed  up  and  ready  to  move  at  thirty  minutes' 
notice.  Eight  days'  rations  have  been  issued  and  packed 
in  knapsack  and  haversack.  It  is  almost  a  pity  to  leave 
our  beautiful  camp,  after  so  much  labor  and  time  spent 
upon  it,  just  as  we  began  to  congratulate  ourselves  that 


180  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [June, 

it  would  do.  We  shall  sorely  miss  the  friendly  shade  of 
our  green  cedar  arbors,  and  the  rude  comforts  carefully 
provided  beneath  them,  the  chairs,  and  benches,  and 
tables,  at  which  we  have  taken  many  a  meal,  as  a  civil 
ized  man  should,  the  boxes  made  into  cupboards,  and 
stored  with  such  luxuries  as  pertain  only  to  a  fixed  camp 
and  a  well-managed  commissariat.  'It's  all  in  the  three 
years,'  the  boys  say,  and  we  have  taken  the  contract  for 
that  length  of  time."  The  Regiment  was  in  capital  con 
dition  and  in  the  best  of  spirits.  The  uneasiness,  which 
was  manifest  when  Colonel  Rogers  first  assumed  com 
mand,  had  disappeared.  Scarcely  a  vestige  of  disaffection 
remained.  The  conduct  of  the  new  colonel  and  the  other 
field  officers,  at  Salem  Heights,  had  effectually  disposed 
of  every  feeling  of  distrust.  Colonel  Rogers  had  the 
utmost  confidence  in  his  men  —  a  sentiment  which  the 
men  fully  reciprocated.  He  was  ready  to  lead,  and  they 
were  ready  to  be  led  wherever  danger  was  pressing  and 
duty  called. 

On  the  6th  of  June,  about  10  o'clock  in  the  forenoon, 
the  Regiment  broke  up  its  camp  near  Falmouth  for  the 
last  time.  It  had  been,  for  the  most  part,  a  very  pleasant 
residence  for  the  last  six  months,  and  it  was  with  con 
siderable  regret,  as  the  letter  just  quoted  testifies,  that 
the  men  took  leave  of  their  familiar  premises.  The  line 
of  march  was  directed  to  the  river  below  Fredericksburg. 
General  Hooker  had  decided  to  make  demonstrations 
against  the  enemy,  with  the  hope  of  drawing  him  out  of 
his  entrenchments.  He  seemed  at  this  time  to  have  been 
baffled  in  his  attempts  to  gain  accurate  information  of 
General  Lee's  movements,  but  believed,  that  he  was 
preparing  to  "move  up  the  river,  with  a  view  to  the 
execution  of  a  movement  similar  to  that  of  last  year. 
He  must  either  have  it  in  mind,"  says  General  Hooker, 


1863.]  AFTER   SALEM   HEIGHTS.  181 

in  a  despatch  to  the  president,  June  5th,  "  to  cross  the 
upper  Potomac  or  to  throw  his  army  between  mine  and 
Washington.  In  the  event  that  the  enemy  should  move, 
as  I  almost  anticipate  he  will,  the  head  of  his  column 
will  probably  be  headed  toward  the  Potomac,  via  Gor- 
donsville  or  Culpepper,  while  the  rear  will  rest  on  Fred- 
ericksburg.  After  giving  the  subject  my  best  reflection 
I  am  of  opinion,  that  it  is  my  duty  to  pitch  into  his 
rear,  although,  in  so  doing,  the  head  of  his  column  may 
reach  Warrenton  before  I  can  return."  General  Halleck 
suggested  in  reply,  that  it  would  be  "more  advantageous 
to  fight  the  enemy's  movable  column  first,  instead  of  first 
attacking  his  intrenchments,  with  your  own  forces  sepa 
rated  by  the  Bappahannock.  It  would  seem  perilous  to 
permit  Lee's  main  force  to  move  upon  the  Potomac  while 
your  army  is  attacking  an  intrenched  position  on  the 
other  side"  of  the  river. 

The  president's  reply  was  characteristic.  "  I  have  but 
one  idea  which  I  think  worth  suggesting  to  you,"  said 
Mr.  Lincoln,  "and  that  is,  in  case  you  find  Lee  coming 
to  the  north  of  the  Rappahannock,  I  would  by  no  means 
cross  to  the  south  of  it.  If  he  should  leave  a  rear  force 
at  Fredericksburg,  tempting  you  to  fall  upon  it,  it  would 
fight  in  intrenchments  and  have  you  at  a  disadvantage, 
and  so,  man  for  man,  worst  you  at  that  point,  while  his 
main  force  would  in  some  way  be  getting  an  advantage  of 
you  northward.  In  one  word,"  continued  the  president, 
"I  would  not  take  any  risk  of  being  entangled  upon  the 
river,  like  an  ox  jumped  half  over  a  fence  and  liable  to 
be  torn  by  dogs  front  and  rear,  without  a  fair  chance  to 
gore  one  way  or  to  kick  the  other." 

General  Lee  was  manoeuvring  to  deceive  General 
Hooker  as  to  his  real  intention,  which  subsequent  events 
developed  —  namely,  to  make  an  invasion  northward. 
16 


182  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [JllllC, 

He  had  received  considerable  reinforcements,  and  de 
signed,  if  possible,  to  hold  Hooker,  by  a  show  of  force 
around  Fredericksburg,  long  enough  to  get  a  fair  start. 
If  opportunity  offered  he  could  cut  in  toward  Washing 
ton,  by  way  of  Harper's  Ferry,  or  penetrate  Pennsylvania, 
and  threaten  the  capital,  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia  at 
once.  It  was  a  desperate  and,  as  it  turned  out,  a  fruitless 
undertaking.  But  it  promised  well,  and  the  success  of 
the  plan,  if  it  could  be  carried  out  with  celerity  and 
boldness,  would  assure  the  most  important  results  for  the 
rebel  cause.  He  continued  to  show  a  strong  front  at 
Fredericksburg,  but  at  the  same  time  he  sent  a  consider 
able  force  up  the  river.  General  Pleasanton  found  cav 
alry,  infantry  and  artillery  in  the  neighborhood  of 
llcippahannock  and  Brandy  Stations  on  the  8th  and  9th 
of  June.  Lee's  headquarters  on  the  12th  were  in  the 
vicinity  of  Culpepper. 

In  order  to  ascertain  what  force  really  occupied  the 
heights  of  Fredericksburg,  General  Hooker,  on  the  6th, 
ordered  General  Sedgwick  to  make  a  reconnoissance 
across  the  river.  Bridges  were  laid  on  the  5th  at  Frank 
lin's  Crossing,  and  the  Sixth  Corps  commenced  its  move 
ment.  The  26th  Xew  Jersey  and  5th  Vermont,  of  Howe's 
division,  were  the  first  to  cross,  capturing  a  few  prisoners 
from  the  2nd  Florida.  On  the  7th  the  3rd  division,  after 
lying  in  line  of  battle  until  dark,  sent  over  a  detail,  con 
sisting  of  the  Second  and  portions  of  the  other  regiments 
of  the  brigade,  under  command  of  Colonel  Rogers.  The 
men  worked  hard  all  night,  digging  rifle-pits,  and  by 
the  morning  of  the  8th  had  completed  a  line  of  works, 
about  a  mile  in  length,  running  from  a  point  a  short 
distance  below  the  Bernard  House  to  a  point  above  the 
bridges — thus  defending  the  bridge-head.  At  daylight 
the  detail,  on  being  relieved,  returned  to  the  north  bank. 


18G3.]  AFTER    SALEM   HEIGHTS.  183 

On  the  9th  nothing  of  importance  occurred  on  our  left. 
The  Kegiment  crossed  the  river  and  went  on  the  picket 
line,  during  the  following  day.  Through  the  night  of 
the  10th  great  shouting  and  cheering  were  heard  in  the 
rebel  camp,  interspersed  with  music,  and  with  all  the 
indications  of  a  general  jubilation.  The  llth  and  12th 
passed  as  before.  A  few  shots  were  exchanged  by  our 
artillery,  but  the  reconnoissance  developed  nothing,  except 
that  the  enemy  had  abandoned  a  few  of  his  camps  near 
Hamilton's.  The  noise  heard  on  the  night  of  the  10th 
was  probably  intended  to  deceive.  For  it  was  soon  found, 
that  but  few  troops  were  remaining  in  the  rear  of  Fred- 
ericksburg.  General  Lee  was  heard  from,  far  up  the 
river,  and,  accordingly,  the  Sixth  Corps  was  withdrawn 
across  the  river  on  the  night  of  the  13th,  in  the  midst  of 
a  rain  storm,  and  marched  up  the  north  bank.  The  rain 
fell  in  torrents,  the  thunder  rolled,  the  lightning  gleams 
flashed  along  the  tips  of  the  bayonets,  and  the  men 
trudged  on  through  the  mud,  reaching  the  heights  above 
Falmouth  in  the  early  morning,  where  they  went  into 
camp  for  a  few  hours.  On  the  14th  the  corps  crossed 
Potomac  creek  and  halted  at  Stafford  Court  House  for 
the  day.  A  balloon  ascension  revealed  the  fact,  that 
Lee's  army  was  pressing  northward  by  way  of  Culpepper 
Court  House. 

The  position  of  affairs  on  the  12th  was  as  follows: 
on  the  enemy's  side,  A.  P.  Hill's  corps  was  holding  the 
Fredericksburg  defences,  and  stretching  along  the  Rap- 
pahannock  to  the  Rapidan;  Longstreet's  corps  was  in  the 
vicinity  of  Culpepper;  Ewell  and  a  part  of  the  cavalry 
were  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  On  our  side,  the  First 
Corps  was  near  Bealeton,  the  Eleventh  on  the  road  to 
Catlett's,  the  Third  on  the  river  from  Rappahannock  to 
Beverly  Ford,  the  Fifth  near  the  United  States  and 


184  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.        [June,. 

Banks's  Fords,  the  Twelfth  and  Second  near  Falmouth, 
and  the  Sixth  across  the  river.  On  the  withdrawal  of 
the  Sixth,  the  whole  army  was  put  in  motion  northward, 
and  the  depots  at  Acquia  Creek  were  broken  up.  Gen 
eral  Reynolds,  having  command  of  the  cavalry,  the  First, 
Third  and  Eleventh  Corps,  directed  his  march  to  Manas- 
sas  Junction.  The  Twelfth  and  Fifth  Corps  turned 
toward  Fairfax,  and  the  Second  and  Sixth,  marching  in 
rear  of  the  trains,  followed.  The  enemy  passed  into  and 
down  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  with  his  cavalry  well  out 
upon  his  right  flank,  observing  the  gaps  of  the  Blue 
Ridge,  and  occasionally  pushing  through  and  skirmishing 
with  our  cavalry,  at  Aldie,  Middleburg,  and  other  points. 
After  General  Hooker  had  fairly  got  his  army  under 
way,  the  march  was  conducted  with  great  celerity  and 
skill. 

On  the  14th,  at  10  o'clock  in  the  evening,  after  a  few 
hours'  rest,  the  men  of  the  Sixth  were  aroused,  and  in 
half  an  hour  the  column  was  in  motion.  The  Regiment 
crossed  Acquia  creek  about  daylight,  and  halted  a  short, 
time  for  breakfast.  It  was  but  for  a  moment,  and  the 
column  pushed  on.  What  a  fearfully  trying  march  it 
was!  .  The  sun  was  pouring  down  his  intensest  heat  upon 
the  troops,  the  dust  was  stifling,  and  many  a  man  in  the- 
corps  fell  out  exhausted  along  the  way.  The  dirty  little 
town  of  Dumfries,  where,  at  last,  about  the  middle  of 
the  afternoon,  a  halt  was  called,  looked  hospitable  to  the 
weary  soldiers.  The  men  were  thoroughly  fatigued,  and 
were  allowed  to  rest.  Up  again  at  1  o'clock  in  the 
morning  of  the  IGth,  the  command  marched  —  by  the 
way  of  Wolf  Run  Shoals,  Occoquan  creek,  where  a  halt 
of  an  hour  or  two  gave  an  opportunity  for  a  bath  —  to 
Fairfax  Station,  and  there  encamped.  On  the  18th  the 
corps  went  up  to  Fairfax  Court  House,  and  encamped 


1863.]  AFTER   SALEM   HEIGHTS.  185 

just  outside  the  town.  Here  the  baggage  was  cut  down 
to  the  smallest  possible  limit,  that  the  army  might  not  be 
impeded  in  its  march.  The  corps  was  retained  for  a  few 
days  in  this  neighborhood  and  down  toward  Bristoe 
Station,  watching  the  railroad  and  the  mountain  passes. 
The  Regiment  was  at  Centreville  on  the  24th,  as  a  guard 
to  a  wagon  train.  On  the  26th  camp  was  broken  up  and 
the  troops  again  moved  out  upon  the  road  northward. 

The  Regiment  encamped  at  Drainsville  on  the  night  of 
the  26th,  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Edwards's  Ferry,  on 
pontons,  and  went  into  camp  near  Poolesville,  Maryland, 
on  the  27th.  The  next  morning  the  early  light  awakened 
the  men,  and  the  Regiment  was  again  upon  the  march 
—  to-day  through  Poolesville,  Barnesville,  along  the  base 
of  Sugar-loaf  Mountain,  through  Whitestone  to  Percy's 
Mills.  On  the  29th  it  crossed  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
railroad,  and  marched  through  Newmarket  and  Ridge- 
ville  to  Mount  Airey.  On  the  30th,  bearing  north 
easterly,  it  pushed  on  through  Mount  Vernon  and 
Westminster  toward  Manchester,  acting  this  day  as  rear 
guard,  for  the  rebel  cavalry  were  in  the  neighborhood, 
and  disposed  to  harass  the  march.  Heavy  rains  had 
fallen,  making  the  roads  very  difficult,  but  the  column 
had  made  good  time,  as  a  glance  upon  the  map  can 
easily  show. 

Thus  ended  the  month  of  June.  General  Lee  had 
effected  a  crossing  of  the  Potomac,  22nd-24th,  and  was 
advancing  into  Pennsylvania.  General  Hookers  march 
had  completely  baffled  any  attempt,  which  he  may  have 
designed  to  make  against  Washington.  What  was  curious 
in  the  conduct  of  both  these  marches  was,  that,  at  one 
time  for  several  days,  neither  general  knew  where  his 
adversary  was.  General  Lee  had  felt  our  lines  at  several 
places  in  Virginia,  and  had  found  them  too  strong  to 
16* 


186  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.        [June,. 

pierce.  He  also  became  assured,  that  he  was  moving  at 
considerable  risk  of  losing  his  communications.  He 
dared  not  go  very  far  into  Pennsylvania,  for  the  farther 
he  went  from  his  base  the  weaker  he  became.  Nor 
could  he  feel  otherwise  than  that  his  enterprise  was 
desperate.  An  invasion  of  this  kind  was  of  little  avail  to 
the  cause  for  which  lie  was  fighting,  if  it  accomplished 
nothing  more  than  the  capture  and  plunder  of  the  few- 
northern  toAvns,  which  lay  in  his  path.  He  could  not 
expect  to  go  any  distance  in  this  direction  without 
arousing  the  country.  The  Susquehanna  lay  between 
him  and  Philadelphia,  and  he  had  no  ponton  train. 
Baltimore  and  Washington  were  upon  his  right,  but  the- 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  with  the  forces  in  General  Heintz- 
elman's  and  Schenck's  departments,  must  first  be  beaten 
before  either  city  could  be  occupied  by  his  forces.  The 
two  armies  were  already  in  pretty  close  contact,  and  a 
collision  was  fast  becoming  inevitable.  The  advance  of 
each,  more  by  accident  than  design,  was  tending  toward 
Gettysburg,  the  little  Pennsylvania  town  destined  to- 
become  historic. 

Meanwhile,  General  Hooker  had  been  relieved  from 
command.  The  differences  between  himself  and  General 
Halleck  had  become  irreconcilable,  and  there  was  no* 
alternative  but  to  retire  from  his  post  of  duty.  "  Find 
ing,"  he  says,  "  that  I  was  not  allowed  to  manoeuvre  my 
own  army  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy,  and  conscious 
that  I  was  standing  in  the  way  of  the  accomplishment  of 
its  mission,  on  the  27th  of  June  I  sent  General  Halleck 
a  telegram,"  which  closed  with  the  following  words:  "  I 
earnestly  request  that  I  may  be  at  once  relieved  from  the- 
position  I  occupy."  On  the  28th  General  Hooker  was 
relieved  and  General  Meade  was  appointed  in  his  place. 
This  is  not  the  place  to  consider  the  merits  of  the  con- 


1863.]  AFTER   SALEM   HEIGHTS.  18? 

troversy  between  Generals  Halleck  and  Hooker.  Both, 
were  good  officers,  but  both  were  impatient  of  differences. 
By  some  fatality,  General  Halleck  found  occasions  for 
disagreement  with  McClellan,  Burnside  and  Hooker. 
The  Army  of  the  Potomac  received  its  fourth  com 
mander —  counting  McDowell,  its  fifth  —  destined  to 
lead  it  through  the  remainder  of  its  career.  It  was  a 
good  evidence  of  the  discipline  and  the  loyalty  of  that, 
army  that  a  change  of  commanders,  although  made  on 
the  march  and  almost  in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  caused 
no  hindrance  to  the  onward  movement,  no  disarrange 
ment,  no  loss  of  confidence,  no  diminution  of  spirit. 
Professional  jealousy  slept  for  the  time,  and  the  army 
hurried  forward  to  meet  the  foe. 


188  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.         [July, 


CHAPTER    XIII 

GETTYSBURG. 


(t>INCE  the  17th  of  June,  different  parties  of  the 
~p^~  enemy's  cavalry  had  been  operating  at  different  points 
p^  north  of  the  Potomac.  Cumberland  in  Maryland, 
Greencastle,  McConnellsburg,  Shippensburg,  Chambers- 
burg  in  Pennsylvania,  Hagerstown,  Williamsport  and 
other  places  along  the  border,  had  been  visited  by  them. 
They  had  been  unwelcome  guests,  and  there  was  no- 
disposition  to  invite  them  to  repeat  their  visit.  A  poor 
compensation  for  their  plunder  was  the  Confederate  scrip 
which  they  gave  in  payment.  Lee  had  moved  with  his 
horsemen  well  out  on  his  flank  and  front.  Unable  io 
push  through  the  mountain  passes,  he  had  gone  to  the 
northward,  and  by  the  latter  part  of  the  month  his  entire 
army  was  across  the  Potomac,  and  was  slowly  advancing 
into  Pennsylvania,  aiming  at  Harrisburg.  On  the  30th 
Lee,  having  turned  eastward,  upon  the  receipt  of  intelli 
gence  that  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  advancing,  was 
marching  toward  Gettysburg.  General  Meade  was  mov 
ing  upon  a  line  still  more  to  the  eastward,  pointing  toward 
the  same  place,  and  at  this  date  his  cavalry  were  at 
Hanover.  The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  marching  in 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG.  189 

four  columns.     The  Sixth  Corps  was  on   the   extreme 
right. 

At  Gettysburg  the  roads  from  all  quarters  converge, 
and  at  Gettysburg  the  two  armies  must  necessarily  come 
in  collision.  The  order  of  march  for  July  1st  was  as 
follows:  "  Headquarters  at  Taneytown,  Maryland;  Third 
Corps  to  Emmetsburg;  Second  Corps  to  Taneytown; 
Fifth  Corps  to  Hanover,  Pennsylvania;  Twelfth  Corps 
to  Two  Taverns;  First  Corps  to  Gettysburg;  Eleventh 
Corps  to  Gettysburg  (in  supporting  distance);  Sixtli 
Corps  to  Manchester,  Maryland."  The  march  proceeded 
according  to  the  order,  the  First  Corps  well  in  advance. 
The  enemy  was  coming  down  from  the  west  by  way  of 
Heidlersburg,  Cashtown  and  Chambersburg.  General 
Meade  thought  of  awaiting  him  and  fighting  a  buttle- 
along  the  line  of  Pipe  creek,  between  Middleburg  and 
Manchester,  covering  his  depot  at  Westminster.  But 
the  rapid  concentration  of  the  enemy,  and  the  advance- 
of  the  First  and  Eleventh  Corps  to  Gettysburg,  brought 
on  the  battle,  which  for  three  days  raged  around  this 
place  with  excessive  severity,  and  ended  in  the  utter 
defeat  of  Lee  and  his  army. 

General  Reynolds,  with  the  First,  and  General  Howard,, 
with  the  Eleventh  Corps,  came  in  contact  with  Generals 
A.  P.  Hill  'and  Ewell,  in  front  of  Gettysburg,  early  in  the- 
forenoon  of  July  1st.  General  Buford's  cavalry  met  the- 
enemy's  advance  just  outside  and  beyond  the  town,  and, 
knowing  that  General  Reynolds  was  near,  Buford  dis 
posed  his  men  to  hold  the  foe  in  check.  Reynolds  soon 
came  up,  and,  taking  in  the  situation,  did  not  hesitate 
to  engage.  Sending  word  back  to  Howard  to  hasten 
his  advance,  he  rode  forward  to  put  his  batteries  in 
position  and  select  his  line  of  battle.  He  had  A.  P. 
Hill's  command  in  front  of  him,  with  Ewell  coming  up. 


190  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.         [July, 

It  was  about  10  o'clock.  Reynolds,  too  adventurous, 
rode  into  the  range  of  the  enemy's  fire  and  was  instantly 
shot.  But  the  fall  of  their  leader  only  exasperated  the 
soldiers  of  the  First  the  more,  and,  under  General  Double- 
day,  they  handsomely  met  and  repulsed  the  enemy's 
advance,  taking  300  prisoners. 

About  noon  General  Howard  arrived  on  the  field,  in 
advance  of  his  corps,  and  assumed  command.  The 
Eleventh  was  soon  up,  and,  coming  into  position  on  the 
right  of  the  First,  took  active  part  in  the  battle.  On  the 
other  side,  Ewell  also  was  up,  and  about  3  o'clock  a 
combined  attack  was  made  upon  our  position.  The 
enemy  was  too  strong  for  us.  The  Eleventh  gave  way, 
retreated  into  the  town,  broke  in  confusion  through  the 
streets,  and  scarcely  rallied  on  the  heights  beyond  — 
losing  1200  prisoners  in  their  escapade.  The  First  Corps, 
deprived  of  support,  retired  more  deliberately,  but  with 
constantly  increasing  loss.  Hill  and  Ewell,  flushed  with 
victory,  pushed  on  their  victorious  columns,  and  it 
seemed  as  though  the  two  corps  were  doomed.  But 
Howard,  seeing  the  importance  of  Cemetery  Ridge, 
hastened  thither,  planted  his  batteries,  and  succeeded  in 
rallying  his  disordered  command,  although  with  consider 
able  difficulty.  General  Lee  says,  that  he  did  not  press 
the  attack  upon  this  position,  as  he  did  not  know  the 
strength  of  the  troops  that  held  it.  He  was  satisfied  with 
what  had  already  been  done.  He  had  not  intended  to- 
fight  a  battle  here,  least  of  all,  an  aggressive  one;  for  he 
had  promised  his  generals,  that  he  would  act  on  the 
defensive.  But  now,  finding  himself  "  unexpectedly 
confronted  by  the  Federal  army,  it  became  a  matter  of 
difficulty  to  withdraw."  Orders  were  sent  to  hasten  the 
march  of  his  columns,  and  preparations  were  made  for 
an  attack  on  the  morrow.  Meanwhile,  on  our  side, 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG.  191 

General  Hancock  came  upon  the  field  to  take  charge  of 
the  further  disposition  of  the  troops,  until  General 
Meade's  arrival.  In  conjunction  with  Howard,  the  First 
and  Eleventh  Corps  were  posted  along  the  Cemetery 
Ridge  and  upon  Gulp's  Hill,  to  the  right.  The  position 
was  strengthened,  and  by  nightfall  a  formidable  front 
was  presented  to  the  enemy. 

Cemetery  Ridge  stands  almost  in  the  centre  of  a  line 
of  hills,  which,  beginning  on  the  left  with  a  prominent 
knob  called  Round  Top,  extends  with  a  curve  at  the 
cemetery,  and  then  returns,  ending  in  Gulp's  Hill  upon 
the  right.  The  whole  ridge  is  shaped  somewhat  like  a 
hook,  with  the  short  part  upon  the  right.  Behind,  and 
dividing  Gulp's  Hill  from  a  lower  range  beyond,  runs 
Rock  creek.  Hancock  informed  Meade  of  the  situation 
of  affairs,  and  the  columns  were  pushed  forward  with  all 
speed.  At  7  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  Twelfth  Corps 
and  a  part  of  the  Third  arrived,  and  took  position  on  the 
flanks  of  the  troops  already  on  the  ridge.  At  1  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  the  2nd  General  Meade  himself 
arrived  upon  the  ground,  and,  after  inspecting  the  posi 
tion,  decided  to  fight  out  the  battle  which  had  been 
begun  by  Reynolds  and  Howard.  He  at  once  issued 
orders  to  bring  up  the  other  corps,  and  concentrate  the 
entire  army  as  rapidly  as  possible.  Early  in  the  morning 
the  Second  and  Fifth  Corps  and  the  rest  of  the  Third 
arrived,  and  were  properly  posted.  The  Sixth,  guarding 
the  rear  of  the  army,  was  still  upon  the  march,  hurrying 
forward  as  swiftly  as  possible  to  take  its  part  in  the 
impending  battle.  Our  lines  extended  a  distance  of  four 
or  five  miles,  and  the  troops  were  all  strongly  posted. 
The  army  was  to  stand  upon  the  defensive.  Lee  was  to  be 
the  aggressor,  against  his  will,  for  his  march  was  stayed, 
and  it  was  equally  difficult  for  him  to  advance  or  retreat, 


192  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.        [July, 

while  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  held  the  path.  Our  line 
was  now  formed  as  follows:  the  Eleventh  Corps,  Howard, 
holding  Cemetery  Hill;  on  its  left,  Robinson's  and 
Doubleday's  divisions,  and  on  its  right,  Wadsworth's 
division  of  the  First  Corps,  Newton,  who  had  succeeded 
Reynolds,  and  next,  on  the  extreme  right,  the  Twelfth, 
Slocum;  on  the  left  centre,  the  Second  Corps,  Hancock; 
next  to  that  the  Third  Corps,  Sickles;  on  the  left, 
the  Fifth  Corps,  Sykes,  in  reserve,  awaiting  the  Sixth 
Corps,  which,  immediately  upon  its  arrival,  was  to  be 
posted  in  readiness  to  support  any  part  of  the  line  which 
was  most  in  danger.  General  Lee  formed  his  army  with 
A.  P.  Hill  in  the  centre,  Ewell  on  the  left,  and  Long- 
street,  who  was  thought  to  be  somewhat  dilatory  in 
coming  up,  on  the  right. 

At  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Sickles,  who  had  ad 
vanced  his  corps  a  short  distance  beyond  the  front  of  the 
designated  line,  was  furiously  attacked.  His  command 
bravely  sustained  the  assault,  aided  by  reinforcements 
from  the  Second  and  Fifth  Corps,  but  was  gradually 
forced  back.  Sickles  himself  was  severely  wounded. 
The  conflict  was  especially  fierce  and  obstinate  for  the 
possession  of  Round  Top,  but  the  brave  men  of  the 
Fifth  Corps  succeeded  in  occupying  and  holding  it, 
against  all  the  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  dislodge  them. 
Hancock  also  came  down  from  the  left  centre,  to  com 
mand  the  Third  Corps  with  his  own  and  the  two  divisions 
of  the  First,  and  nobly  aided  in  repelling  the  rebel  assault. 
Sedgwick  gallantly  brought  his  men  into  action  —  tired 
tind  worn  as  they  were,  from  their  march  of  thirty-two 
miles.  Part  of  Newton's  former  division,  now  under 
General  Wheaton,  joined  in  the  conflict.  Cemetery  Hill 
was  raked  by  the  enemy's  artillery,  but  the  Eleventh  with 
its  guns  stood  firmly  at  its  post.  For  three  hours  and 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG.  193 

more  the  battle  raged  incessantly.  Never  had  the  enemy 
fought  with  more  signal  bravery.  Never  had  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  held  its  ground  with  greater  tenacity. 
Longstreet  did  his  best  to  carry  the  position,  and  Ewcll, 
farther  to  the  enemy's  left,  brought  what  assistance  he 
€ould.  But,  as  night  fell  and  the  sanguinary  conflict 
ended  with  the  day,  our  lines  were  fully  established. 
Later  in  the  evening  a  spiteful  attack  was  made  upon 
our  right,  and  some  advantage  gained.  But  early  on  the 
next  morning  the  enemy  was  forced  back  and  our  posi 
tion  restored. 

The  Sixth  Corps  had  made  a  forced  march  to  gain  the 
battlefield.  On  the  night  of  the  30th  of  June,  and  a 
part  of  the  1st  of  July,  the  Regiment,  with  the  corps 
to  which  it  belonged,  lay  around  Manchester.  The 
only  movement  made  during  the  day  was  a  counter 
march  of  four  or  five  miles,  to  relieve  the  rear  of  the 
army  from  the  enemy's  cavalry,  which  threatened  to 
harass  our  communications.  But  by  and  by  came  back 
intelligence  of  the  fighting  in  front.  The  men  were  in 
bivouac  about  9  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  camp 
gradually  settling  down  into  that  peculiar  kind  of  quiet, 
which  belongs  to  a  large  army  on  the  point  of  falling  to 
.sleep.  It  was  a  grateful  rest,  indeed,  for  the  march  thus 
far  had  been  of  the  most  fatiguing  description.  The 
fare  had  been  excessively  poor,  and  supplies  were  scanty 
in  the  extreme.  Raw  salt  pork  and  wormy  biscuits  were 
eaten  with  relish.  The  clothing  was  in  a  state  not  to  be 
described.  It  was  no  wonder  that  the  men  of  the  Sixth 
felt  thankful  for-  a  halt  of  any  kind.  But  this  was  to  be 
brief  enough. 

At  the  headquarters  of  the  Second  all  was  still,  when 
the  notes  of  a  bugle,  sounding  the  assembly,  came  down 
through  the  silent  summer  air.  Colonel  Rogers  at  once 
17 


194  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.         [July, 

ordered  the  assembly  to  be  beaten.  In  a  moment, 
throughout  the  Regiment,  all  was  activity  and  movement. 
The  men  aroused  themselves  with  alacrity.  Blankets 
were  slung,  knapsacks  packed,  belts  tightened,  and 
almost  sooner  than  it  takes  to  write  it,  the  Regiment  was 
upon  the  road,  leading  off  the  entire  column,  for  the 
order  from  General  Sedgwick  was,  that  each  regiment 
should  start  as  soon  as  it  was  ready.  It  was  a  fine,  clear 
summer  night,  the  full  moon  riding  high  in  the  heavens. 
Everybody  was  in  good  spirits,  and  the  march  was 
pushed  with  vigor.  On  through  the  night  the  steady 
tramp  continued,  with  but  a  moment's  occasional  rest. 
At  sunrise  on  the  2nd  a  brief  halt  was  ordered  for  break 
fast.  But  scarcely  were  the  fires  kindled  before  the  order 
of  march  was  resumed.  There  was  no  time  for  delay. 
Something  more  important  than  breakfast  demanded 
attention.  Fortunately  the  day  was  not  oppressively  hot, 
and  in  spite  of  blistered  feet  and  the  exhaustion  of  a 
sleepless  night,  the  men  got  on  very  well. 

All  sorts  of  rumors  were  now  in  the  air.  Exaggerated 
reports  of  yesterday's  fighting  passed  from  mouth  to 
mouth.  As  the  day  wore  on  and  the  march  approached 
the  scene  of  action,  signs  of  the  battle  increased  in 
number.  At  Littlestown  the  wounded,  on  foot  and  in 
ambulances,  carriages  and  every  kind  of  vehicle  that 
could  be  used,  were  met.  Occasionally  could  now  be 
heard  reports  like  distant  thunder,  and,  as  the  command 
came  nearer,  little  clouds  of  smoke  began  to  rise.  The 
battle  had  not  yet  joined,  but  the  artillery  and  skirmish 
ers  were  exchanging  shots.  About  2  o'clock  a  short  halt 
was  ordered,  for  the  men  were  famished.  A  brief  rest, 
a  mouthful  of  food,  forty  winks  of  sleep,  were  all  that 
could  be  allowed.  Once  more  upon  the  road,  the  sounds 
of  the  conflict,  which  had  now  actually  begun  in  earnest, 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG.  195 

became  more  distinct.  The  rattle  of  the  musketry,  the 
roar  of  the  artillery,  but  served  to  stimulate  and  reanimate 
the  drooping  men.  Hunger,  fatigue,  exhaustion  were 
forgotten,  and  at  4  o'clock,  when  the  battlefield  came 
fairly  into  view,  the  column  actually  broke  into  a  double- 
quick,  and  with  shouts  and  cheers  took  position  in  aid  of 
the  imperilled  left  wing.  Never  was  an  arrival  more 
opportune,  or  reinforcement  more  welcome.  The  Fifth 
Corps,  relieved  from  its  post  in  reserve,  was  thrown  into 
the  fight,  and  the  enemy  was  handsomely  repulsed.  Our 
men  slept  on  their  arms  that  night,  the  Kegiment  occupy 
ing  the  second  line.  Despite  the  picket  firing,  the  groans 
of  the  wounded,  the  movements  of  the  troops  around,  and 
the  riding  to  and  fro  of  staff  officers  intent  upon  disposi 
tions  for  the  morrow,  the  men  slept  comparatively  well, 
and  in  the  morning  were  in  good  trim  for  their  harassing 
and  perilous  duty. 

The  events  of  the  last  two  days,  although  apparently 
indecisive,  had  proved  two  things:  first,  the  desperate 
character  of  Lee's  movement,  and,  secondly,  the  ability 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  Meade's  leadership, 
to  fight  successfully  a  defensive  battle.  Lee  had  gained 
nothing,  but  to  display  the  impetuous  gallantry  of  his 
troops.  Meade  had  lost  nothing,  and  his  army  had 
shown  a  remarkable  steadiness  in  holding  fast  a  position, 
often  and  dauntlessly  assailed.  But  Lee  was  not  yet 
ready  to  acknowledge,  that  he  had  been  stopped  in  his 
career.  When  the  3rd  of  July  dawned,  it  was  fairly 
understood  on  both  sides,  that  the  fighting  would  be  of 
the  most  furious  description.  Both  armies  girded  them 
selves  for  the  encounter. 

The  fighting  commenced  early.  Slocum,  with  the 
Twelfth  Corps,  occupied  our  right,  and  at  daylight 
opened  a  fierce  fire  upon  his  antagonist,  Ewell.  "That 


196  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [July,- 

general's  entire  force,"  says  the  army  correspondent  of 
the  New  York  World,  "  responded  with  a  charge  that  is 
memorable  even  beyond  those  made  by  them  yesterday. 
The  fire  of  the  enemy  was  mingled  with  yells,  pitched 
even  above  its  clangor.  They  came  on  and  on  and  on, 
while  the  national  troops,  splendidly  handled  and  well 
posted,  stood  unshaken  to  receive  them.  The  line- 
scarcely  flinched  from  its  position  during  the  entire 
conflict.  Huge  masses  of  rebel  infantry  threw  them 
selves  upon  it  again  and  again  in  vain.  They  recoiled, 
as  a  ball  hurled  against  a  rock,  and  were  reformed  to  be 
hurled  anew  against  it,  with  a  fierceness  unfruitful  of 
success,  fruitful  of  carnage,  as  before."  Thus  the  fight 
continued,  with  episodes  of  fearful  conflict  hand  to- 
hand,  until  about  the  middle  of  the  forenoon,  when 
Ewell,  finding  further  assault  useless,  withdrew  his  com 
mand,  and  Slocum's  troops  won,  in  this  part  of  the  field,, 
the  honors  of  the  day.  Sedgwick  moved  over  a  part  of 
the  Sixth  Corps — Colonel  Eustis's  brigade  among  the- 
number,  the  Second  conspicuous  —  and  materially  aided 
in  contributing  to  the  success.  The  fighting  on  the- 
right  ceased  about  11  o'clock,  and  was  not  resumed, 
except  as  a  feint  to  cover  the  more  serious  attacks  on  the- 
left  and  centre. 

The  morning  attack  of  the  enemy  on  our  left  was- 
mainly  with  artillery,  with  an  occasional  advance  of 
infantry.  It  was  doubtless  made  with  a  viqw  to  cover 
the  dispositions  making  for  the  grand  assault  of  the  day. 
What  fighting  there  was  continued  for  an  hour  or  two, 
and  then  the  two  armies  became  quiet,  and  a  silence, 
broken  only  by  a  few  straggling  shots  along  the  centre,, 
settled  down  upon  the  scene.  Thus  the  summer  morn 
ing  wore  away. 

Soon   after  noon  the  signal  gun  of  the  enemy  pro- 


18C3.]  GETTYSBURG.  197 

claimed  the  opening  of  the  real  battle  of  the  day.  The 
artillery  fire,  that  followed  and  continued  for  the  next 
two  hours,  is  spoken  of  even  by  veteran  officers  as  terrific 
beyond  precedent.  Two  hundred  and  thirty-five  guns 
for  two  hours  and  more  gave  forth  an  incessant  and 
deafening  roar.  The  air  was  literally  thick  with  missiles 
of  every  description.  The  correspondent  of  the  Rich 
mond  Enquirer  speaks  of  "  the  shrieking  of  shells,  the 
fragments  of  rock  flying  through  the  air,  shattered  from 
the  cliffs  by  solid  shot,  the  heavy  mutterings  from  the 
valley  between  the  opposing  armies,  the  splash  of  burst 
ing  shrapnel,  and  the  fierce  neighing  of  wounded  artillery 
horses.  The  very  earth  shook  beneath  our  feet,  and  the 
hills  and  rocks  seemed  to  reel  like  a  drunken  man." 
Correspondents  on  our  own  side  use  similar  language. 
General  Hancock  said  it  was  the  "  most  terrific  and  most 
prolonged  cannonade  "  he  had  ever  witnessed,  an  artillery 
duel  probably  without  equal  in  the  entire  history  of  the 
war.  But  even  this,  terrible  as  it  appeared,  was  but  the 
prelude  to  the  sanguinary  conflict  that  followed  it. 

As  the  sounds  of  the  artillery  died  away  and  the  smoke 
lifted,  the  spectator  on  Cemetery  Hill  could  discern  the 
enemy's  forces  formed  for  attack.  They  came  on  —  a 
strong  line  of  skirmishers  in  front,  the  first  line  of  battle 
a  few  rods  in  their  rear,  and  the  second  line  of  battle, 
the  reserves,  ready  to  improve  the  advantage,  or  retrieve 
the  disaster,  that  might  ensue.  General  Pickett's  divi 
sion,  the  very  flower  of  the  rebel  army  —  supported  on 
the  right  and  left  by  Heth's  division  and  a  part  of  Fen 
der's  from  Hill's  corps  —  had  been  selected  for  the  final 
charge.  It  was  magnificently  made.  Our  left  centre 
was  its  object.  Here  General  Hancock  had  command, 
with  the  Second,  Third,  and  a  part  of  the  First  Corps. 
On  the  ridge  the  batteries  were  handled  with  great 
17* 


198  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.         [July,. 

efficiency.  General  Hunt  had  allowed  his  fire  to  slacken,, 
reserving  his  strength  and  husbanding  his  ammunition,, 
till  the  right  moment  came  for  his  guns  to  burst  forth  in. 
flame  and  death.  The  approach  of  the  storming  column 
was  over  a  plain  of  cultivated  fields,  a  mile  or  more  in 
width,  sloping  gently  up  toward  the  ridge.  It  was  some 
what  like  Fredericksburg,  with  the  positions  reversed  — 
the  stone  wall  and  the  fortified  crest  this  time  upon  our 
side.  "It  will  be  difficult  for  one  who  shall  survey  the 
ground  to  conclude  otherwise,  than  that  the  enterprise  of 
the  Confederates  was  hopeless,"  says  Mr.  Swinton,  in  his 
account  of  the  battle.  Yet  Lee,  good  general  and  soldier 
as  he  was,  deliberately  decided  to  send  the  elite  of  his 
army  to  the  desperate  task.  It  was  undertaken  with  a, 
signal  courage,  which  has  made  the  charge  of  Pickett's 
division  memorable  in  the  annals  of  the  war. 

As  the  enemy's  troops  marched  out  upon  the  plain, 
they  came  at  once  under  fire  upon  both  flanks,  from 
Round  Top  and  Cemetery  Hill  —  musketry  from  one,. 
artillery  from  the  other.  There  were  the  Fifth  Corps,, 
some  Vermont  regiments  of  the  First,  on  our  left,  and 
the  Eleventh  Corps  on  the  right,  and,  under  the  well- 
directed  fire  from  these,  the  supporting  divisions  of  the- 
enemy  were  gradually  frittered  away.  But  the  real 
attacking  force  came  on  with  steady,  strong,  well-nigh 
resistless  momentum.  Disregarding  the  fire  on  right 
and  left,  the  devoted  troops,  like  a  forlorn  hope,  moved 
straight  up  the  slope,  receiving  the  fire  now  square  in  the 
front,  and  still  pressing  on,  returning  it  with  vigor.  One 
or  two  of  Hancock's  regiments  broke,  and  left  a  breach 
in  the  line  for  the  enemy  to  enter.  His  men  were  not 
slow  to  take  advantage  of  the  opening.  They  pushed  in, 
leaped  the  breastworks,  and  were  right  in  the  midst  of 
our  lines.  "  The  fight  here  became  very  close  and  dead- 


18G3.]  GETTYSBURG.  190 

ly,"  says  General  Hancock.  "The  enemy's  battle  flags 
were  soon  seen  waving  on  the  stone  wall."  Pickett's 
men  set  up  their  shouts  of  victory.  But  their  success 
was  but  temporary.  For  back  upon  them  came  other 
regiments  —  the  19th  Massachusetts,  the  42nd  New  York, 
prominent  among  them.  On  both  flanks  the  tire,  hot,, 
destructive,  unendurable,  was  poured  in.  Every  man 
was  eager  to  do  his  most.  Many  were  fighting  in 
dependently  of  their  regimental  formation.  Those  who 
had  retired  in  confusion  returned  with  ardor  and  a 
fearless  front.  "  The  colors  of  the  different  regiments 
were  now  advanced,  waving  in  defiance  of  the  long  line 
of  battle  flags  presented  by  the  enemy.  The  men  pressed 
firmly  after  them,  and,  after  a  few  moments'  desperate- 
fighting,  the  enemy  was  repulsed."  On  our  side,  Han 
cock  and  Gibbon,  on  the  other  side,  Kemper  and  Armi- 
stead  were  wounded. 

It  took  but  a  very  little  time  after  this  to  break  utterly 
in  pieces  the  attacking  force.  The  men  who  had  climbed 
the  slope  with  so  much  bravery,  now  enveloped  by  our 
fast  closing  lines,  lost  their  hold,  threw  down  their 
arms,  fled  in  confusion,  gave  themselves  up  as  prisoners.. 
A  dozen  stand  of  colors  and  forty-five  hundred  men  were 
captured  by  the  Second  Corps  alone.  Lee,  not  satisfied 
with  this  untoward  result  of  Pickett's  charge,  sent  another 
column  forward.  Its  failure  was  even  more  marked. 
As  the  troops  crossed  the  plain  our  artillery,  sweeping- 
down  the  slope  and  across  the  plain  from  Cemetery  Hill, 
crushed  through  the  ranks  and  tore  them  to  pieces. 
They  could  not  go  on,  they  could  not  stand.  Some  gave- 
themselves  up,  the  remainder  fled  back  to  their  own  lines. 
There  the  utmost  disorder  reigned.  The  repulse  had 
been  so  complete,  so  decided,  so  disastrous,  as  to  require- 
all  the  efforts  of  Lee  and  Longstreet  to  rally  the  fugitives- 


200  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS. 

Had  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps  been  put  in  promptly 
then,  it  would  seem  as  though  Lee's  army  would  have 
been  destroyed.  As  it  was,  the  victory  was  great  and 
decisive.  The  tide  of  rebellion  was  stayed  and  turned 
back.  For  Gettysburg  was  the  high  water  mark  of  the 
rebellion,  and  thenceforward  the  fortunes  of  the  Confed 
eracy  ebbed. 

On  this  day  the  Sixth  Corps  was  in  reserve,  and  though 
it  was  not  called  into  active  participation  of  the  battle,  in 
downright  fighting,  it  was  kept  perpetually  on  the  move. 
Eustis's  brigade  was  placed  under  command  of  General 
Birney  in  the  afternoon,  and  was  upon  the  left.  "  The 
day,"  says  Colonel  Rogers,  in  a  letter  published  at  the 
time,  "  was  a  busy  one  for  us,  for  at  dawn  we  were  up  and 
moving,  and  wherever  the  fighting  was  thickest  there  the 
second  brigade  was  sure  to  be  sent,  to  reenforce  the  line 
when  hard  pressed.  But,  though  we  had  to  traverse  the 
bloody,  fatal  field  through  shot  and  shell,  time  and 
again,  first  to  the  centre,  then  back  again,  then  retrace 
our  steps,  then  to  the  right,  and  so  on,  we  were  not 
called  on  to  fire  a  shot.  In  Lee's  grand  attack  it  rained 
shell,  and  the  field  fairly  justified  the  cheap  prints  of 
battlefields,  where  bursting  shell  fill  the  air,  men  are 
running  to  and  fro,  dead  and  wounded  men  are  literally 
piled  up,  riderless  horses  dashing  off  in  every  direction, 
and  wounded  animals  are  tearing  along  at  full  speed.  It 
was  fearful.  But  after  the  storm  came  a  lull,  and  rebel 
prisoners  came  streaming  in  by  thousands,  and  rebel 
flags  were  borne  along  in  triumph."  The  Regiment  lost 
1  man  killed  and  5  wounded  —  among  the  latter,  Cor 
poral  Leavitt  of  B.  Of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Light 
Artillery,  Batteries  A,  B,  C,  E,  and  G  were  in  the  battle, 
losing  heavily  in  horses  and  men.  In  Battery  B  a  piece 
was  struck  by  a  shell  from  the  enemy  in  such  a  way,  at 


18G3.]  GETTYSBURG.  201 

the  moment  when  the  gunner  had  placed  a  ball  in  the- 
muzzle  and  was  about  to  ram  it  home,  as  to  kill  and 
disable  the  men  who  were  serving  it,  and  fix  the  bal) 
permanently  at  the  place  where  it  was  left. 

General  Lee  was  now  convinced  of  the  hopelessness  of 
continuing  the  battle.  "Owing  to  the  strength  of  the- 
enemy's  position  and  the  reduction  of  our  ammunition,"' 
he  says,  "a  renewal  of  the  engagement  could  not  be- 
hazarded."  He  remained  in  position  during  the  4th, 
preparing  to  withdraw,  and  "  at  night  began  to  retire  by 
the  road  to  Fair-field."  General  Meade  was  also  content 
with  the  results  of  the  three  days'  fighting,  and  retained 
his  army  within  his  lines,  with  the  exception  of  sending 
out  reconnoissances,  which  reported  the  enemy  with 
drawn  from  our  right,  but  still  strong  upon  our  left  and 
left  centre.  It  rained  violently  at  intervals  during  the- 
day.  The  dead  were  buried  and  the  wounded  cared  for. 
The  Second  Regiment  was  out  on  the  picket  line,  sup 
porting  Berdan's  sharp-shooters.  There  was  continuous,, 
almost  incessant  firing  at  the  outposts,  and  the  men  were- 
much  exposed.  The  Regiment  was  relieved  at  night. 
The  appearance  of  the  field  is  described  as  sickening,  and 
in  the  places  where  the  struggle  was  fiercest,  the  ground 
was  covered  with  the  bodies  of  the  slain. 

By  daylight  on  the  5th  the  rear  of  the  retreating  army 
had  left  Gettysburg.  The  Sixth  Corps  was  sent  in  pur 
suit,  with  the  First  and  Third  Corps  following  in  support. 
The  rest  of  the  army  was  moved  toward  Middletown,  as- 
General  Meade  thought  a  more  rapid  pursuit  could  be- 
made  by  the  flank  through  the  South  Mountains.  Gen 
eral  Sedgwick  followed  as  closely  as  possible  upon  the- 
enemy's  rear-guard,  but  without  getting  near  enough  to 
attack.  A  severe  rain  storm  came  on,  and  the  march 
was  much  impeded.  The  main  body  of  the  army  was; 


202  SECOND   KHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [July, 

halted  at  Middle  town  for  supplies,  both  of  food  and 
clothing.  The  Sixth  Corps  on  the  6th  passed  through 
Fairfield  and  Liberty  to  Emmetsburg,  leaving  a  force  of 
cavalry  and  Neill's  brigade  to  harass  Lee's  rear.  Thence 
on  the  7th  the  march  was  continued  through  Frank 
lin's  Mills,  Mechanicsville,  and  Kittoctan  Iron  Works. 
Through  the  following  night  the  command  crossed  the 
Kittoctan  Mountains,  on  the  8th  passed  through  Bell- 
ville,  and  on  the  9th  reached  Middletown.  Over  the 
South  Mountains  on  the  10th  to  Boonesboro',  and  then 
the  whole  army  moved  forward,  crossed  Antietam  creek 
on  the  12th,  and  found  the  enemy  at  Funkstown,  drawn 
up  in  line  of  battle,  with  his  front  slightly  intrenched. 
Lee  had  reached  Williamsport,  and  was  showing  a  bold 
face,  in  order  to  cover  his  crossing.  Our  cavalry  had 
inflicted  considerable  damage  upon  his  wagon  trains,  he 
had  but  few  pontons  on  the  Potomac,  had  lost  several 
pieces  of  artillery  and  many  prisoners.  The  river  was 
swollen  by  the  rain,  and  altogether  his  position  was  not 
encouraging. 

Would  General  Meade  attack?  There  were  officers 
and  men  in  the  Regiment  who  hoped  that  he  would, 
and  who  believed  that  a  magnificent  success  was  within 
his  grasp.  But  the  commanding  general  called  a  coun 
cil  of  war  —  which,  it  is  said,  never  fights.  Two  corps 
commanders,  Wadsworth  and  Howard,  were  in  favor  of 
attacking.  The  others  opposed.  General  Meade  himself 
says,  that  he  was  "in  favor  of  moving  forward,  attacking 
the  enemy  and  taking  the  consequences."  But,  as  he 
had  been  but  a  short  time  in  command,  was  ignorant  of 
the  ground,  had  made  no  reconnoissances,  and  had 
reason  to  believe,  that  Lee  had  taken  a  strong  position 
and  was  prepared  to  give  battle,  he  deferred  to  the  judg 
ment  of  the  majority,  and  consequently  "abstained  from 


18G3.]  GETTYSBURG.  203 

ordering  an  assault."  There  was  some  skirmishing,  in 
which  the  Kegiment  took  part,  with  the  loss  of  three 
men  wounded,  among  whom  were  Sergeant  Kent  of  C 
and  Corporal  Skinner  of  H.  The  13th  was  passed  in 
examining  the  position,  without,  however,  gaining  much 
information.  General  Meade  ordered  a  forward  move 
ment  for  the  14th,  with  a  view  of  attacking  the  enemy. 
But  when  the  morning  of  the  14th  dawned  there  was  no 
enemy  to  attack.  Lee,  after  waiting  six  days  upon  the 
river  bank,  had  withdrawn  his  army  during  the  night, 
and  was  safe  across  the  river  upon  the  Virginia  shore. 
The  army  moved  down  to  the  Potomac,  the  Regiment 
with  the  Sixth  Corps  reaching  Williamsport  about  noon. 
The  invasion  was  over,  and  the  campaign,  so  far  as 
serious  fighting  was  concerned,  was  ended.  The  battles 
at  Gettysburg  were  well  fought,  and  the  victory  was  a 
glorious  response  to  that  won  by  General  Grant  at  Vicks- 
burg.  The  pursuit  of  the  enemy  was  slow,  roundabout, 
and  without  the  results  which  there  seemed  sufficient 
reason  to  expect.  But  General  Meade,  justly  feeling  the 
responsibility  of  his  position,  and  aware  of  the  grave 
consequences  of  failure,  was  unwilling  even  to  incur  the 
hazard  of  defeat. 


204  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [July, 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

RETURN   TO   THE   RAPPAHANNOCK. 


f^EXERAL  Lee's  second  failure  was  more  disastrous 
T  'j7  and  signal  than  his  first  had  been.  The  government 

^t  at  Richmond  had  cherished  great  hopes,  that  success 
would  ensure  political  results  of  the  first  importance.  A 
peace  was  to  be  conquered  on  northern  soil,  and  the 
independence  of  the  seceded  states  thus  secured.  A 
recognition  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  by  the  great 
powers  of  Europe  was  sure  to  follow.  Dreams  of  national 
greatness  mingled  with  anticipations  of  glorious  victory. 
It  is  doubtful  if  Lee  expected  so  determined  a  resistance. 
It  is  quite  certain  that  he  did  not  anticipate  so  decided  a 
repulse.  It  must  have  been  with  a  profound  sense  of 
disappointment,  that  he  rearranged  his  broken  columns 
in  Virginia,  and  started  upon  his  march  southward. 
His  genius  as  a  soldier  had  not  been  resplendent  in  these 
aggressive  movements.  Whatever  opinion  he  had  formed 
of  the  qualities  of  the  commanders  opposed  to  him,  he 
certainly  had  not  found  it  safe  to  calculate  upon  the 
weakness  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  itself.  Moreover, 
the  losses  he  had  sustained  in  men  —  27,000  at  least,  in 
killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners  —  and  material  of  war 


1863.]  RETURN  TO  THE   RAPPAHAXXOCK.  205 

were  a  severe  draft  upon  the  resources  of  the  South, 
while  the  loss  of  the  prestige  of  invincibility,  with  which 
his  troops  had  flattered  themselves,  was  necessarily  felt 
upon  the  morale  of  his  army. 

The  battle  of  Gettysburg  ended  the  hard  fighting  in 
the  East  for  the  year  1863.  In  the  West  and  Southwest 
the  prospects  of  the  insurgent  cause  did  not  improve  as 
the  year  waned.  The  brilliant  success  of  Grant  at  Vicks- 
burg  was  followed  by  those  operations  at  Chattanooga 
and  its  neighborhood,  which  opened  the  way  for  Sherman 
to  Atlanta,  and  for  the  great  march  to  the  sea.  Burnside 
went  over  the  Cumberland  Mountains  to  the  deliverance  of 
East  Tennessee,  and  severed  the  enemy's  important  line 
of  communication  through  that  section.  The  Mississ 
ippi  was  now  in  our  hands,  and  our  lines  were  closing 
up.  The  country  was  beginning  to  understand,  that  the 
prosecution  of  a  great  war  is  a  slow  process.  If  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  did  not  accomplish  great  results 
during  the  latter  half  of  1863,  its  work  at  Gettysburg  had 
earned  the  nation's  gratitude,  and  the  nation  could  well 
afford  to  be  patient. 

We  resume  our  narrative  with  the  march  of  the  Sixth 
Corps,  on  the  loth  of  July,  to  Boonesboro'.  On  the 
16th  it  crossed  the  South  Mountains,  marched  through 
Burkettsville,  and  went  into  camp  near  Berlin;  on  the 
19th  crossed  the  Potomac  on  a  ponton  bridge,  and 
pushed  on  to  Wheatland,  where  it  spent  the  night.  On 
the  20th  it  reached  Phillimont;  on  the  22nd  passed 
through  Union  town  and  crossed  Goose  creek;  on  the 
23rd  marched  to  Rectortown  and  halted  till  2  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  when  it  was  put  in  motion  toward  Manas- 
sas  Gap,  whither  the  Sixth  was  sent  to  aid  the  Third, 
which  had  been  ordered  to  intercept  the  enemy's  rear 
guard  at  that  point.  Encamping  at  Barber's  Cross 
18 


206  SECOND   KHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Aug., 

Boads,  it  moved  thence  at  daylight  on  the  24th,  and 
arrived  at  the  gap  about  10  o'clock  in  the  forenoon. 
But  the  Third  Corps  did  not  reach  the  gap  in  season 
to  strike  an  effective  blow,  and  the  enemy,  without 
serious  molestation,  continued  his  retreat. 

The  corps  returned  upon  its  steps,  took  the  Warrenton 
turnpike,  and  encamped  at  Orleans.  The  next  day  it 
made  a  short  march  to  the  south,  along  the  spurs  of  the 
Manassas  Mountains,  and  established  its  camp  upon  the 
bill-side.  A  tornado,  on  the  4th  of  August,  which  over 
turned  the  tents  and  uprooted  the  trees  in  the  neighbor 
hood,  warned  the  troops  to  seek  a  less  exposed  situation, 
and  on  the  6th  they  went  down  upon  the  plain.  The 
remainder  of  the  month  and  the  first  half  of  September 
were  spent  in  comparative  inaction,  broken  only  by 
occasional  picketing  and  patrolling.  The  weather  was 
warm  and  exhausting,  and  both  armies  needed  rest. 
Both  armies  were  weakened  also  by  the  withdrawal  of  a 
considerable  number  of  troops.  The  Eleventh  and 
Twelfth  Corps  were  sent  to  the  West  on  the  24th  of 
September.  Lee,  who  had  retired  beyond  the  Rapidan, 
sent  Longstreet  with  his  corps  to  the  Southwest.  Thus 
for  six  or  eight  weeks  matters  were  as  quiet,  as  though  it 
were  a  time  of  truce  between  the  opposing  armies  in 
Eastern  Virginia.  Indeed,  this  state  of  affairs  continued 
into  October,  and  it  almost  seemed  as  though  the  year 
would  end  without  active  movement  of  any  kind.  The 
Regiment  was  moved  down  to  the  neighborhood  of 
Oulpepper  Court  House  on  the  15th  of  September,  and 
remained  there  for  the.  next  two  weeks.  On  the  lst-3rd 
of  October  it  was  moved  along  the  line  of  railroad  to 
Bristoe  Station,  and  for  two  weeks  following  was  occu 
pied  in  guarding  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  railroad  — 
our  line  of  communication  and  supplies. 


1863.]  RETURN  TO  THE   RAPPAHANXOCK.  207 

At  tliis  time  General  Lee  began  to  awake  from  his 
inactivity.  It  was  not  the  impression,  that  he  desired  to 
fight  a  great  battle.  His  force  was  inferior,  and  his 
position  gave  him  no  advantage  for  attack.  But  he 
evidently  did  desire  to  embarrass  us  and  inflict  upon  us 
such  damage,  as  to  render  further  movements  during  the 
year  impracticable.  Well  acquainted  with  the  country, 
he  could,  even  with  a  smaller  force,  harass  our  lines, 
and,  by  striking  at  a  vulnerable  point,  cause  us  consider 
able  loss.  General  Howe,  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  thought, 
that  "our  most  vulnerable  point"  was  our  rear,  and  that 
there  was  cause  for  apprehension,  that  Lee  would  make  a 
sudden  movement  around  our  flank  and  strike  us  in  that 
quarter. 

About  the  10th  of  October  the  movement  was  really 
made.  General  Lee  crossed  the  Rapidan  and  made  as 
though  he  were  passing  around  our  right.  The  Sixth 
Corps  was  concentrated  at  Warrenton  Junction,  the 
Regiment  arriving  there  on  the  13th,  and  a  line  of  battle 
was  formed.  But  Lee's  intention  was  not  to  fight,  but  to 
embarrass.  He  declined  to  attack,  but  moved  still  far 
ther  to  our  rear.  General  Meade  hesitated  to  attack, 
preferring  to  withdraw  from  his  advanced  position,  and 
to  occupy  a  position  nearer  Washington  and  its  defences. 
Lee  was  supposed  to  be  inferior  in  strength,  but,  by 
skillfully  manoeuvring  his  army,  prevented  battle,  yet 
forced  a  retreat.  Meade  gradually  fell  back,  with  Lee 
upon  his  right  flank  making  threatening  demonstrations. 
On  the  14th  a  fight  occurred  at  Bristoe  Station  between 
the  Second  Corps  and  a  part  of  Hill's  corps,  in  which  the 
enemy  lost  five  guns  and  450  prisoners.  There  were  one 
or  two  cavalry  engagements,  with  varying  fortunes. 
The  retrograde  movement  continued  till  the  army  arrived 
on  the  heights  of  Centre ville,  where,  on  the  18th,  it 


208  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [Nov.> 

made  a  stand  —  the  Sixth  Corps  posted  out  at  Chan  till  y. 
General  Lee  then  retired  in  his  turn,  breaking  up  our 
depots  of  supplies  and  line  of  communication,  and 
effectually  postponing  any  important  hostile  operation 
on  our  part  during  the  favorable  autumnal  weather. 
The  Regiment,  after  withdrawing  to  Centreville,  ad~ 
vanced  again  on  the  19th,  with  the  rest  of  the  army,, 
crossed  Cub  Run,  Bull  Run,  and  for  the  third  time  the- 
old  battle  ground,  encamped  at  Gainesville,  marched 
through  New  Baltimore  on  the  20th,  and  on  the  22nd 
regained  its  former  camping  ground  beyond  Warrenton. 
The  Regiment  lay  quietly  in  camp  until  the  7th  of 
November,  when  the  Sixth  Corps  was  ordered  to  move' 
out  toward  Rappahannock  Station,  where  it  was  engaged 
jn  a  brilliant  affair,  which  ended  in  the  capture  of  1600 
prisoners  from  the  enemy,  with  four  guns,  eight  flags, 
and  a  large  number  of  small  arms.  The  chief  credit  of 
the  engagement  belonged  to  General  D.  A.  Russell, 
commanding  for  the  time  the  1st  division,  who  led 
the  storming  party.  The  3rd  division  was  partly  in 
reserve  in  the  centre.  The  corps  started  at  daylight, 
and,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  supported  by 
the  First  Corps,  made  a  daring  and  successful  assault 
upon  the  enemy's  intrenchments  upon  the  north  bank 
of  the  Rappahannock.  General  Russell's  brigade,  sup 
ported  by  Upton's,  was  admirably  handled,  and  the 
result  was  in  every  way  gratifying  to  our  forces  engaged. 
At  the  same  time  a  smart  action  was  going  on  at  Kelly's* 
Ford  between  the  Second  and  Third  Corps  and  the 
advanced  posts  of  the  enemy  there  established,  ending  in 
the  enemy's  withdrawal,  with  a  loss  of  400  prisoners, 
General  Meade  hnd  planned  a  battle  with  the  enemy 
along  the  Rappahannock,  and  expected  from  it  decisive 
results.  The  reports  from  the  enemy's  generals  show  it 


RETURN  TO   THE   RAPPAHANXOCK.  209 

to  have  been  extremely  mortifying  to  them,  as  it  took 
them  by  surprise,  and  inflicted  upon  them  considerable 
damage.  The  engagement  at  Kelly's  Ford  was  designed 
to  support  the  main  attack,  and  both  movements  were 
very  successful  as  far  as  they  went.  General  Meade 
speaks  of  a  fog  which  prevented  General  Sedgwick  from 
ascertaining  the  position  of  the  enemy  on  the  8th,  when 
he  retreated  from  the  front  of  the  Sixth  Corps.  No 
effectual  pursuit  could  be  made,  and  the  corps  was 
moved  down  to  Kelly's  Ford,  where  the  Eegiment  was 
put  in  support  of  the  4th  New  York  battery.  A  ponton 
bridge  was  laid,  the  troops  crossed  the  river  on  the  9th, 
and  the  Eegiment  was  out  on  picket.  On  the  12th  a 
countermarch  was  made  to  Eappahannock  Station,  as 
General  Meade's  object  was  to  secure  the  railroad.  The 
army  was  then  pushed  on  to  Brandy  Station.  The  rail 
road  and  bridge  were  rebuilt,  and  a  depot  of  supplies 
established.  General  Lee  retired  beyond  the  Eapidan. 
The  next  two  weeks  passed  without  any  notable  event, 
except  a  review  of  the  Sixth  Corps  on  the  20th,  in  com 
pliment  to  several  Eussian  naval  and  British  military 
officers,  who  were  at  the  time  visiting  the  headquarters 
of  the  army. 

In  the  course  of  the  following  week,  the  reconstruction 
of  the  railroad  having  been  completed,  and  abundant 
supplies  in  camp,  the  note  of  preparation  was  again 
sounded.  General  Meade  considered  it  necessary  to 
march  against  the  enemy,  and  make  one  more  attempt 
to  dislodge  him  from  his  front  before  the  winter  fairly 
set  in.  He  had  had  in  mind  the  project  of  seizing  the 
heights  of  Fredericksburg,  that  the  army  might  be  more 
readily  supplied,  and  the  base  of  operations  transferred 
to  a  better  point.  But  this  had  been  overruled  at 
Washington.  A  forward  movement,  however,  was  per- 
18* 


210  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.        [NOV.,. 

mitted,  and  Mcade  decided  to  put  his  army  upon  the 
road,  possibly  hoping,  that  success  would  still  justify 
the  change  of  base.  The  design  was  to  move  on  the 
24th,  but  a  heavy  rain  set  in,  and  the  army  did  not 
march  until  the  26th.  On  that  day  at  light  the  Sixth 
Corps  started,  crossed  Mountain  Run  and  the  Rapidan  at. 
Jacob's  Ford  during  the  day,  and  spent  the  night  on  the 
south  bank  of  the  last-named  stream.  On  the  27th 
the  3rd  division,  to  which  General  H.  D.  Terry  had  been 
assigned  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  moved  up  with 
the  Second  Corps,  General  Warren,  but  the  rest  of  the 
command  was  comparatively  inactive.  General  Lee,  on 
his  part  was  falling  back,  skirmishing  with  General 
Warren's  advance,  and  with  the  leading  troops  of  the 
Third  Corps,  General  French,  who,  taking  a  different 
road,  had  in  some  manner  been  led  astray,  and  had 
delayed  the  movement  for  two  hours. 

General  Sedgwick  put  his  command  in  motion  during 
the  night.  At  1  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  28th  the 
Regiment  was  upon  the  road,  and  the  entire  corps,  press 
ing  through  the  Wilderness,  reached  General  Warren'& 
position  at  daybreak.  The  First  Corps  had  joined,  the 
evening  before,  and  the  three  corps,  now  forming  in  line 
of  battle,  advanced  against  the  enemy.  He  was  not 
found  until  late  in  the  forenoon,  and  then  he  was 
strongly  posted  on  the  west  bank  of  Mine  Run,  about 
two  miles  from  Robertson's  Tavern.  Nothing  more  was 
to  be  done  than  to  examine  the  position  taken  by  General 
Lee,  and  decide  upon  the  feasibility  of  an  attack.  But 
on  the  29th  General  Warren  proposed  to  make  a  demon 
stration  upon  Lee's  right,  to  find,  if  possible,  the  weakest 
point  in  his  lines.  General  Terry's  division  of  the  Sixth 
Corps  was  detached,  and  sent  to  General  Warren  with  a 
few  hundred  cavalrymen,  to  aid  in  the  movement.  The 


18G3.]  RETURN   TO   THE   RAPPAHAXXOCK.  211 

command  moved  down  the  plank  road  toward  Orange 
Court  House,  passed  White  Hall,  and,  after  an  eight 
miles'  march,  came  in  contact  with  the  enemy's  outposts, 
which  retired  as  our  men  advanced.  By  noon  the  entire 
force  was  in  line  of  battle  in  front  of  General  Lee's  right 
wing,  and  some  lively  skirmishing  and  cannonading 
ensued.  But  the  enemy's  superior  knowledge  of  the 
ground  —  an  extremely  difficult  one  for  attack  —  enabled 
him  to  harass  our  left  flank  and  rear  to  such  an  extent,  as 
to  give  sufficient  employment  to  our  men  to  defend  their 
own  position,  and  effectually  to  thwart  General  Warren's- 
designs  for  an  assault.  The  day  closed  without  decisive 
results  of  any  kind. 

General  Warren,  however,  believed,  that  an  attack  was 
practicable.  He  thought  that  the  enemy's  position  in 
his  front  wras  weak,  and  could  be  forced  with  compara 
tive  ease.  Two  divisions  of  the  Third  Corps  were  added 
to  his  command.  He  was  to  attack  at  8  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  and  the  troops  upon  our  right  wing,  at  D 
o'clock,  wrere  to  follow  up  the  assault  with  vigor.  The 
night  was  spent  in  making  the  necessary  arrangements. 
But,  on  the  morning  of  the  30th,  the  enemy's  works  had 
a  more  formidable  look  than  on  the  previous  night. 
There  seemed  to  be  more  men,  a  thicker  abattis,  heavier 
cannon,  and  higher  breastworks.  In  General  Warren's, 
judgment,  the  attack  was  not  so  feasible  as  it  appeared 
the  day  before.  Eight  o'clock  came  and  passed,  and 
there  was  no  advance  or  sign  of  assault.  The  forenoon,, 
the  entire  day  passed  —  two  days,  in  fact — and  the  two- 
armies  lay  in  quiet,  looking  at  each  other,  but  neither 
venturing  to  come  to  blows.  A  little  skirmishing,  an 
occasional  artillery  duel,  a  few  shots  exchanged  by  the 
pickets,  comprised  the  hostile  operations  of  the  30th 
of  November  and  the  1st  of  December.  General  Lqe 


212  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec., 

wisely  employed  his  men  in  strengthening  his  position, 
and  General  Meade  made  preparations  for  withdrawal. 

The  Regiment  was  in  the  second  line  of  battle  on  the  left 
flank  during  the  forenoon  of  the  30th,  and  on  the  skir 
mish  line  during  the  afternoon,  but  suffered  no  casualties. 
At  dark  it  fell  back  a  mile  or  two,  and  spent  the  night 
and  the  following  day  in  quiet.  At  dark,  December  1st, 
the  whole  army  abandoned  its  position,  hurriedly  retired, 
crossed  the  Rapidan  at  daylight,  and,  having  placed  the 
river  between  itself  and  its  opponent,  halted  for  rest 
until  nearly  noon,  when  it  resumed  its  march  to  its 
former  position.  General  Meade  considers,  that  one  of 
the  primary  causes  of  the  failure  of  this  well-planned 
movement  was  the  delay  of  the  Third  Corps,  first  in 
starting,  and  afterwards  in  making  its  necessary  connec 
tions  with  the  other  corps.  According  to  the  reports,  it 
would  seem  as  though  General  French  was  dilatory  on 
the  march,  and  slow  in  his  combinations.  But,  be  this  as 
it  may,  General  Meade  was  "free  to  admit,  that  the 
movement  across  the  Rapidan  was  a  failure."  The 
Regiment  reached  its  camp  at  Brandy  Station  about  10 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  Monday,  December  3rd.  The 
active  operations  of  18G3  were  ended.  The  men  built 
for  themselves  very  comfortable  huts  for  their  winter 
quarters,  and  prepared  to  make  the  best  of  what  threat 
ened  to  be  an  unusually  severe  season. 

During  the  year  which  was  now  closing,  and  especially 
after  the  departure  of  Major  Jameson,  there  had  been 
some  difficulty  in  settling  upon  a  successor  to  the  chap 
laincy  of  the  Regiment.  It  was  considered  very  desirable 
by  some  that  the  office  should  be  filled.  But,  on  the 
other  hand,  there  was  considerable  indifference  in  regard 
to  the  matter,  which  seemed  to  look  toward  an  indefinite 
continuance  of  the  vacancy.  Colonel  Rogers  was  decided 


18C3.]  RETURN   TO   THE   RAPPAHAXXOCK.  213 

as  to  the  necessity  of  the  presence  of  a  chaplain  with  the- 
Regiment,  lie  well  understood  the  fact,  that  it  was 
unsafe  for  men,  who  were  face  to  face  with  death,  and 
who  were  beyond  the  restraints  of  stable  society,  to  be- 
without  the  influence  of  religious  service  and  instruction. 
There  was  a  certain  education  of  character  to  be  pur 
sued.  There  were  peculiar  temptations  in  camp  life  and 
army  duty,  which  required  to  be  met  with  the  steadiness- 
of  moral  principle  and  the  fortification  of  religious  truth. 
A  chaplain  was  required.  But  after  the  declination  of 
Father  Quinn  the  army  was  soon  upon  the  move,  and 
nothing  could  be  done  until  the  end  of  the  campaign. 
Lieutenant  Rhodes  had  been  active  in  keeping  up  a  Sun 
day  school  in  the  Regiment,  whenever  it  was  at  rest,  and 
otherwise  in  directing  the  attention  of  as  many  officers 
and  men  as  he  could  interest  to  religious  subjects. 
There  was  a  little  company  of  a  score  or  more,  who  were- 
in  the  habit  of  meeting  together  every  week,  or  as  often 
as  the  exigencies  of  the  service  would  permit,  for  confer 
ence  upon  spiritual  themes.  A  private  letter,  which 
found  its  way  into  the  public  prints,  under  date  of 
August  23rd,  gives  a  brief  account  of  one  of  these  meet 
ings,  which  may  be  taken  as  a  specimen,  doubtless,  of 
many  others  of  a  similar  character.  "At  dusk  last 
evening,"  says  the  writer,  "  fifteen  of  us,  Christian 
brethren,  met  and  held  a  prayer  meeting,  in  which  all 
spoke  and  prayed.  Our  meetings  are  becoming  interest 
ing,  and  soon  wre  hope  to  have  many  coming  to  Christ,. 
and  many  backsliders  returning.  Our  colonel  seems 
much  pleased  in  the  little  band  of  prayer,  and  is  much 
interested  in  the  good  cause  in  which  we  are  engaged. 
We  hope  now  by  his  efforts  to  have  a  good  chaplain  to* 
our  Regiment,  and  then  we  shall  take  hold  of  the  work 
with  renewed  energy." 


214  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec., 

Lieutenant  Rhodes  was  urgent  in  pressing  the  matter, 
and  at  last  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  result  of  his 
endeavors.  A  meeting  of  the  officers  was  held,  Septem 
ber  7th,  and  it  was  unanimously  voted,  that  Reverend 
John  D.  Beugless,  a  Baptist  clergyman  of  Pawtuxet, 
should  be  appointed  chaplain.  The  election  was  con 
firmed,  and  the  commission  was  issued  on  the  llth. 
Mr.  Beugless  at  once  accepted  the  appointment,  and 
immediately  afterwards  joined  the  Regiment.  The  se 
lection  proved  most  admirable  in  every  respect.  The 
newly  appointed  chaplain  entered  at  once  upon  the  duties 
of  his  office  with  great  vigor,  and  very  soon  secured  the 
respect  and  cooperation  of  officers  and  men.  His  faith 
fulness  in  his  position,  his  labors  for  the  welfare  of  the 
command,  his  coolness  and  courage  in  battle,  gave  him 
an  excellent  position  for  exercising  a  helpful  and  ben 
eficial  influence  in  the  Regiment.  The  duties  of  chaplain 
are  not  specifically  laid  down  in  army  regulations,  and 
it  depends  mostly  upon  the  officer  himself  to  make  his 
position  effective  for  good.  The  Regiment  was  fortunate 
in  its  choice,  and  Chaplain  Beugless,  until  the  end  of  his 
service,  daily  increased  his  hold  upon  the  confidence  and 
respect  of  both  officers  and  men. 

Other  changes  took  place  during  the  year,  which  here 
'belong  to  the  record.  Those  which  occurred  previously 
to  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights  have  already  been  men 
tioned.  Subsequently  to  that  event  the  following  changes, 
appointments  and  promotions  were  made:  April  1st, 
First  Lieutenant  Waldron  of  A  was  transferred  to  B; 
May  10th,  First  Lieutenant  Waterhouse  of  I  was  promoted 
to  captain;  Second  Lieutenant  West  of  K  to  first  lieuten 
ant  of  I;  -Sergeant  Prentiss  of  C  to  second  lieutenant  of 
K,  and,  October  30th,  to  first  lieutenant  of  A;  Sergeant 
Lyons  of  E  to  second  lieutenant  of  A;  Sergeant  Nason 


1863.]  RETURN   TO   THE   RAPPAHANXOCK.  215 

of  H  to  second  lieutenant  of  C;  21st,  Second  Lieutenant 
Gifford  of  G  to  first  lieutenant  of  F,  returned  to  G, 
August  29th;  Sergeant  H.  C.  Dixon  of  E  to  second 
lieutenant  of  G,  transferred  to  H,  September  12th;  July 
30th,  Sergeant  Usher  of  G  to  second  lieutenant;  August 
9th,  Second  Lieutenant  Southwick  of  F  to  first  lieuten 
ant;  First  Lieutenant  Beveridge  of  G  to  captain,  vice 
Turner;  Second  Lieutenant  C.  T.  Brown  of  H  to  first 
lieutenant;  September  7th,  Sergeant-Major  T.  J.  Smith 
to  second  lieutenant  of  F;  14th,  Commissary-Sergeant 
Turner  to  second  lieutenant  of  I;  November  7th,  First 
Lieutenant  Rhodes  of  D  to  adjutant,  vice  Bradford,  who 
had  been  acting  aide-de-camp  to  General  Wheaton,  re 
signed  and  transferred  to  E;  14th,  private  S.  L.  Naif 
of  II  to  second  lieutenant,  Third  Rhode  Island  Cavalry, 
but  was  not  discharged;  December  14th,  Second  Lieuten 
ant  Tinkliam  of  D  to  first  lieutenant.  Assistant-Surgeon 
Bolles  resigned,  September  10th,  and  First  Lieutenant 
O'Connor  of  B,  July  31st.  First  Lieutenant  Capron  of 
E  was  discharged,  October  14th,  to  accept  an  appointment 
in  L'nited  States  Signal  Corps.  December  5th,  private 
Charles  C.  Cragin  of  D  was  discharged,  to  accept  a  com 
mission  of  captain  in  the  Fourteenth  Rhode  Island 
Heavy  Artillery.  Hospital  Steward  Edwin  A.  Calder 
was  discharged,  October  12th,  1862,  to  be  mustered  into 
the  United  States  army,  as  hospital  steward,  on  the 
13th;  discharged,  December  30th,  1863,  to  accept  an 
appointment  of  second  lieutenant,  Third  Rhode  Island 
Cavalry,  but  was  not  mustered.  Captain  S.  H.  Brown 
of  D  was  assigned  to  duty,  for  a  time,  on  the  staff  of 
General  Terry.  Captain  Sears  of  F  was  assigned  to  duty 
at  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  in  command  of  a  conscript 
camp.  Captain  Young  of  B  was  acting  as  brigade 
inspector.  First  Lieutenant  Bowen  of  C  was  assigned  as 


216  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.        [Dec., 

aide-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  General  Eustis,  September 
1st.  Captain  Beveridge  of  G  also  served  for  a  short  time 
as  aide  on  the  staff  of  the  brigade  commander.  Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  Read  was  absent  from  the  Regiment  a 
considerable  part  of  the  winter  and  spring,  serving  as 
inspector-general  upon  General  Terry's  staff.  General 
Terry  was  engaged  from  January  to  April  in  guarding 
rebel  prisoners  at  Johnson's  Island,  Sandusky,  Ohio,  and 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Read  was  of  great  service  to  his  chief 
in  the  position  which  he  held. 

Changes  and  promotions  occurred  among  the  non 
commissioned  officers  and  enlisted  men.  September 
12th,  Sergeant  G.  T.  Easterbrook  of  G  was  promoted  to 
sergeant-major,  and  on  the  24th  Corporal  Chenery  of  I 
to  commissary- sergeant.  May  6th,  Sergeant  Cahoone  of 
B  was  promoted  to  first  sergeant;  Corporal  Lawrence 
Kelley  to  sergeant,  for  gallant  conduct  as  color-bearer  at 
Salem  Heights,  and  private  Charles  Brown  of  K  to  cor 
poral;  17th,  Corporal  Kent  of  C  to  sergeant,  for  gallant 
•conduct  at  Salem  Heights,  and  private  William  Green  of 
B  to  corporal;  19th,  private  George  T.  Remington  of  C 
to  corporal;  31st,  Corporal  Flier  of  E  to  sergeant,  for 
gallant  conduct  as  color-bearer  at  Salem  Heights;  Cor 
poral  Visser  of  E  to'  sergeant,  and  private  James  B. 
Wright  of  E  to  corporal;  June  13th,  Corporal  Viall  of  E 
to  sergeant;  24th,  Sergeant  C.  E.  Perkins  of  I  to  first 
sergeant,  Corporals  W.  H.  Perry  and  A.  F.  Potter  to 
sergeant,  and  privates  James  Lee  and  G.  A.  Perseche  of 
I,  and  W.  W.  Vickery  of  B,  to  corporal;  July  17th,  Ser 
geant  Joshua  II.  Greene  of  C  to  first  sergeant,  Corporal 
James  Morgan  to  sergeant,  and  privates  W.  J.  Crossley 
;md  John  Mahan  to  corporal;  18th,  Sergeant  C.  H. 
Nicholas  of  II  to  first  sergeant,  Corporal  Benoni  Sweet 
to  sergeant,  Corporal  H.  H.  Martin  of  D  to  sergeant, 


18G3.]  RETURN   TO   THE   RAPPAHAXXOCK.  217 

and  private  Jeremiah  Tourjee  of  H  to  corporal;  30th, 
First  Sergeant  G.  R.  Wood  of  F  to  acting  second  lieu 
tenant,  private  B.  R.  Thurston  of  I  detailed  to  adjutant's 
clerk;  August  2nd,  Corporals  Taylor  of  K,  to  date  from 
July  1st,  Crossley  of  C,  to  date  from  July  25th,  to  ser 
geant,  and  Perry  of  K  to  color-guard;  privates  T.  E. 
Jones,  to  date  from  July  1st,  Charles  W.  Hathaway  of 
K,  Zophar  Skinner  of  C,  to  date  from  July  25th,  Edward 
Lowther  of  G,  Daniel  F.  Miller  of  B,  and  Silas  W.  Watson 
of  C,  to  corporal;  September  1st,  Corporal  McAvoy  of  G  to 
sergeant;  4th,  private  William  W.  Aborn  of  D  detailed 
to  hospital  department;  10th,  private  John  K.  Smith  of 
I  to  sergeant;  13th,  Sergeant  J.  S.  Newman  of  G  to  first 
sergeant;  privates  William  H.  Trimmer  of  A,  J.  B.  In- 
graham  and  E.  C.  Koerner  of  D,  Jason  P.  Rathbun  of  E, 
Michael  Reilly  of  F,  Henry  Marland  of  G,  A.  J.  Huling 
of  H,  and  T.  W.  D.  Lewis  of  I,  detailed  as  pioneers;  18th, 
Corporal  Robert  Yeaw  of  B  to  sergeant;  22nd,  Corporals 
Frank  S.  Halliday  and  Frank  Keating  of  G  to  sergeant; 
25th,  private  John  Possnett  of  F  to  corporal;  30th,  Cor 
poral  Samuel  Black  of  A  and  private  David  Small  of  F 
to  sergeant;  privates  Edwin  Tanner  of  A,  Ithamar  H. 
Wilcox  of  B,  Jason  P.  Rathbun  of  E,  Charles  A.  Haile, 
Henry  F.  Bush,  and  G.  G.  Cole,  of  G,  Russell  C.  Gardi 
ner  and  Cassander  Kingman  of  H,  Elisha  Arnold  and 
Bernard  McGahen  of  I,  to  corporal;  November  17th, 
Corporals  N.  A.  Sisson  of  A,  Jotham  Waterman  of  F, 
and  James  A.  King  of  H,  appointed  to  color-guard,  and 
private  Thomas  Parker  of  D  to  lance-corporal,  assigned 
to  color-guard;  December  5th,  private  Israel  Smith  of  K 
detailed  to  pioneer  corps;  10th,  private  James  E.  Lewis 
of  G  to  pioneer  corps;  16th,  Corporal  S.  A.  Bates  'of  D 
to  sergeant,  and  private  Edson  F.  Spring  to  corporal; 
23rd,  private  E.  D.  Kellogg  of  C  to  corporal. 
19 


218  SECOND    RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec., 

The  following  transfers  to  veteran  reserve  corps  were 
made:  July  1st,  Sergeant  Lawton  of  K;  August  24th, 
Corporal  May  of  H;  September  1st,  Corporals  Freyberg 
and  J.  G.  Gardiner  of  H;  October  12th,  Corporal  B.  G. 
Potter  of  C;  November  15th,  Sergeant  Hull  of  D;  De 
cember  1st,  Corporal  Thomas  of  E;  12th,  Corporal  Ben 
nett  of  B;  31st,  Corporal  Foster  of  F;  no  date  given, 
Corporal  Leavitt  of  B.  Sergeant  Byrnes  of  H  was 
transferred  to  Battery  G,  First  Rhode  Island  Light 
Artillery,  December  9th.  The  following  were  discharged : 
May  30th,  Corporal  Cummings  of  D;  June  7th,  Sergeant 
Curtis  of  C.  Sergeant  Moon  and  Corporal  Rice  of  A, 
reported  as  wounded,  reported  missing  at  Salem  Heights, 
did  not  appear  afterwards,  and  were  supposed  to  have 
died  of  their  wounds,  in  the  enemy's  hands.  Of  the 
wounded  in  the  same  battle,  the  following  died:  May 
llth,  Sergeant  Taft  of  C;  May  15th,  Sergeant  Wight  of 
I;  May  22nd,  Sergeant  Stanley  of  E;  June  9th,  Sergeant 
Peck  of  D.  July  25th,  Sergeant  Kent  of  C  died  of 
wounds  received  in  the  skirmish  of  the  12th  near  Funks- 
town. 


1863.]    WINTER   QUARTERS   AT  BRANDY   STATION.          219 


CHAPTER   XV. 

WINTER   QUARTERS   AT   BRANDY   STATION, 


f*XOMFORTABLY  established  in  winter  quarters  after 
T "]  the  return  from  Mine  Run,  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
T  lay  on  the  south  side  of  the  Rappahannock —  the 
Sixth  Corps  around  Brandy  Station.  All  signs  showed 
that  the  year  1864  was  to  witness  the  most  earnest 
endeavors,  which  the  government  at  Washington  could 
put  forth  to  crush  out  the  rebellion.  Preparations  were 
made  to  put  new  armies  in  the  field,  and  to  prosecute  the 
war  with  an  energy  and  persistence  greater  than  ever 
before.  Every  department  of  the  administration  was 
inspired  with  new  vigor  and  determination.  The  national 
authorities  saw  the  need  of  putting  all  its  forces  into 
the  field.  The  emancipation  proclamation  of  President 
Lincoln  had  been  issued  for  a  year,  and  the  struggle  was 
beginning  to  be  recognized,  as  having  for  its  purpose  and 
end  a  moral  result  of  interest  and  importance  to  all 
humanity.  The  cause  was  now  the  cause  of  human 
nature,  as  Jefferson  once  declared  the  American  Revolu 
tion  to  be.  But  the  instrument  for  making  good  the 
proclamation  was  still  in  the  national  forces,  that  were 
battling  in  the  field.  The  rebellion  had  a  wonderfully 


220          .    SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.         [Dec.,. 

tenacious  life.  Its  soul  was  in  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia,  and,  until  that  army  should  be  destroyed,  the 
war  would  continue. 

President  Lincoln  issued  a  call,  October  17th,  1863, 
calling  for  300,000  men.  But,  while  new  recruits  were 
raising  for  filling  up  the  Union  armies,  it  seemed  especially 
desirable  that  the  veterans,  who  had  served  from  the- 
beginning  of  the  struggle,  should  be  induced,  if  possible, 
to  remain  until  the  end.  Many  of  the  three  years'  regi 
ments  had  been  raised  in  the  summer  and  autumn  of 
18G1.  The  expiration  of  their  term  of  service  was  draw 
ing  near.  Volunteers,  fresh  from  a  civilian's  life,  could 
hardly  fill  their  place.  Congress  was  very  liberal  in 
offering  bounties,  the  state  legislatures  and  the  munici 
palities  were  not  backward,  the  military  authorities  were 
lenient.  Early  in  November,  1863,  the  matter  received 
attention  in  the  Second.  Colonel  Rogers  issued  an  order 
on  the  3rd,  directing  company  commanders  to  "report, 
how  many  of  the  men  of  their  companies,  with  their 
names,  whose  terms  of  service  expire  before  the  1st  of 
next  September,  will  reenlist  as  veteran  volunteers. 
Government  guaranties  to  all  veterans,  re  enlisting  in 
their  old  regiments,  a  stay  in  their  state  of  at  least  thirty 
days.  It  also  guaranties  a  bounty  of  $402.00  to  each 
veteran.  The  state  of  Rhode  Island  also  guaranties  a 
bounty  of  $300.00  to  every  recruit,  making  at  least 
$702.00  to  each  veteran."  There  was  also  the  town 
bounty,  and,  in  addition,  the  probability  of  receiving 
$100.00  upon  discharge. 

The  matter  excited  considerable  interest,  and  on  the- 
21st  of  December  a  meeting  of  the  officers  of  the  Regi 
ment  was  held,  at  which  the  subject  was  fully  discussed. 
A  decided  disposition  was  manifested  to  have  the  Regi 
ment  reorganize  at  the  end  of  its  present  term,  and 


1863.]    WINTER   QUARTERS   AT   BRANDY   STATION.          221 

continue  in  the  service.  A  considerable  number  of 
recruits,  who,  from  time  to  time,  had  joined  the  ranks, 
would  be  obliged  to  remain.  It  was  hoped,  that  a 
sufficient  number  of  original  members  would  reenlist  to 
keep  the  command  intact.  Otherwise,  the  men  would 
be  transferred  to  such  regiments  as  the  general  com 
manding  the  army  might  select  for  them.  The  reenlist- 
ing  men  would  be  granted  a  furlough  of  thirty-five  days 
—  a  stronger  inducement  than  the  promise  of  a  bounty 
to  men  who  had  homes  to  visit,  after  the  long  absence  to 
which  their  military  service  had  subjected  them.  The 
best  of  feeling  prevailed  throughout  the  Kegiment.  As 
may  be  readily  understood,  the  men  talked  the  matter 
over  earnestly  around  the  camp  fires  and  in  their  tents. 
All  had  the  consciousness  of  a  faithful  performance  of 
duty,  but,  while  some  felt  that  they  had  done  their  part, 
others  were  strenuous  to  "see  the  thing  through." 

Both  Colonel  Rogers  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Read 
were  absent  at  this  time,  and  Major  Jencks,  who  was  in 
command,  immediately  issued  an  order,  granting  "  per 
mission  to  the  officers  of  the  Regiment  to  reenlist  all  men 
willing  to  serve  under  them  for  a  new  term,  and  all  men 
whose  term  of  service  ended  in  1864.  Those  who  will 
reenlist  may  select  the  officer  under  whom  they  desire  to 
serve  for  the  new  term.  Non-commissioned  officers  who 
reenlist  may  preserve  their  rank,  if  the  Regiment  is 
reorganized.  Officers  and  non-commissioned  officers  are 
required,"  continues  the  order,  "to  use  every  honorable 
endeavor  to  induce  the  men  to  accept  the  liberal  bounties 
offered  by  the  United  States,  state  and  town  authorities.'' 
On  the  24th  Lieutenant  Prentiss  of  H  was  designated  as 
recruiting  officer  for  the  Regiment,  and  authorized  to 
reenlist  all  who  desired  to  remain  in  the  service.  By  the 
29th  fifty-six  men  had  given  in  their  names.  On  the  1st 
19* 


222  SECOND  KHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.         [Jan.r 

of  January,  1864,  Lieutenant  Prentiss  was  relieved  by 
Captain  Foy  of  C,  who  in  turn  was  relieved,  on  the  20th, 
by  Second  Lieutenant  Usher  of  G.  The  whole  number 
that  finally  reenlisted  was  eighty,  of  whom  fifty-two  were 
members  of  the  Regiment  from  the  beginning.  At  home 
a  draft  had  been  made,  and  a  few  conscripts  had  been 
sent  forward.  But  this  method  of  filling  the  depleted 
ranks  was  found  to  be  both  unpopular  and  insufficient 
for  its  purpose. 

As  the  winter  advanced,  Colonel  Rogers  began  to  feel 
the  symptoms  of  the  disease,  which  had  previously  pros 
trated  him,  and  an  annual  recurrence  of  which  his 
physicians  had  predicted,  as  long  as  he  continued  in 
camp.  He  therefore  felt  obliged  to  resign,  as  an  attack 
would  utterly  unfit  him  for  active  service,  even  if  it  did 
not  prove  fatal.  Accordingly,  on  the  14th  of  January, 
1864,  he  announced  his  resignation  of  the  command  of  the 
Regiment  in  the  following  order,  dated  at  Brandy  Station : 

"COMRADES:  —  The  colonel  commanding,  having  re 
signed,  is  about  to  leave  you.  He  parts  from  you  with 
regret.  During  the  year  he  has  had  the  honor  to  com 
mand  the  Second  he  has  been  proud  of  the  Regiment. 
He  trusts  and  believes,  that  your  reputation  has  not 
suffered  at  his  hands.  He  regards  with  pride  and  pleas 
ure  your  heroic  conduct  at  Salem  Heights  and  Gettys 
burg,  and  the  other  engagements  in  which  together  we 
have  participated,  and  holds  in  grateful  remembrance 
those  gallant  heroes  who  have  poured  out  their  life's 
blood  on  those  fatal  fields. 

"Comrades!  if  it  be  possible,  may  your  fame  grow 
brighter  still,  and  may  the  same  Divine  Providence 
protect  you  in  the  future  that  has  so  mercifully  preserved 
in  the  past." 


1864.]    WINTER   QUARTERS   AT   BRANDY   STATION.          223 

In  the  Providence  Journal  of  the  19th  a  letter  from  its 
regular  correspondent  with  the  Regiment  appeared,  giv 
ing  a  review  of  Colonel  Rogers's  services,  the  reproduction 
of  which  is  not  inappropriate.  "He  took  command," 
says  the  writer,  "  under  circumstances  peculiarly  trying- 
and  discouraging.  He  leaves  after  well-nigh  a  year  of 
trial,  in  which  he  has  been  by  no  means  and  in  no 
respect  found  wanting.  Barring  personal  prejudice  on 
the  part  of  a  very  few,  which  must  have  been  the  lot  of 
any  one  assuming  the  command  at  the  time  and  under 
the  circumstances  of  Colonel  Rogers's  coming,  he  leaves, 
in  possession  of  the  fullest  confidence  and  esteem  of  the 
entire  Regiment,  as  well  as  of  his  superiors  in  command. 
His  reasons  for  resigning  are  at  home  and  with  himself 
entirely,  and  are  in  no  wise  influenced  by  any  person  or 
thing  here.  Having  served  as  lieutenant,  captain  and 
major  in  the  Third,  colonel  in  the  Eleventh,  and  now  for 
almost  a  year  as  colonel  of  the  gallant  and  honored 
Second,  he  now  feels  it  his  duty  to  return  to  his  home 
and  his  profession,  which  he  left  from  the  same  high 
motive,  August  27th,  1861.  He  is  one  of  the  few,  whose 
moral  character  has  passed  untarnished  through  all  the 
corrupting  influences  of  two  and  a  half  years  of  military 
life.  We  shall  much  miss  his  moral  and  religious  in 
fluence  among  us,  but  the  abrasions  of  the  stream  of 
time  will  never  obliterate  or  efface  the  impressions  for 
good  which  he  has  here  made.  As  he  retires  to  private 
life  he  carries  with  him  the  affections  and  prayers  of  his 
command,  with  the  hearty  wish,  that  his  success  and 
prosperity  may  be  as  complete  as  they  have  been  here." 
The  writer  thus  warmly  expressing  his  feelings  was 
Chaplain  Beugless,  with  whom  Colonel  Rogers  had 
shared  his  tent.  On  the  16th  of  March  Colonel  Rogers 
was  nominated — "  a  handsome  and  well-merited  recogni- 


224  SECOND   RHODE  ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.        [Jan., 

tion  of  gallant  service,"  according  to  the  Journal  —  and 
on  the  Gth  of  April  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  attorney- 
general  of  the  state  of  Rhode  Island.  On  the  13th  of 
March,  1867,  he  was  brevetted  brigadier-general  of  vol 
unteers,  to  date  from  March  13th,  1865,  for  "gallant 
and  meritorious  services  during  the  war." 

Colonel  Rogers  left  the  Regiment  in  good  hands. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Read  was  absent  on  duty  elsewhere 
at  the  time,  and  the  command  consequently  devolved  on 
Major  Jencks,  who  continued  to  exercise  it  until  about 
the  1st  of  April.  Chaplain  Beugless  said  of  him,  that 
he  was  "  fully  capable  of  preserving  the  present  high 
discipline  and  morale  of  the  Regiment,"  and  would  secure 
the  " utmost  confidence  and  esteem."  While  the  Regi 
ment  remained  in  camp  Major  Jencks  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Read  were  assiduous  in  their  endeavors  to  sustain 
the  character  and  repute  of  the  command.  Their  orders 
as  recorded  are  soldierly  and  well  adapted  to  the  preser 
vation  of  good  discipline.  When  the  Regiment  went 
into  the  field  it  was  found,  that  under  its  lieutenant- 
colonel  it  had  maintained  its  former  high  standard  of 
excellence.  Its  good  name  was  brightly  illustrated  in  the 
well-fought  battles  of  the  great  closing  campaign  of  the 
war.  From  February  10th  to  the  1st  of  April  Adjutant 
Rhodes  was  absent  on  the  furlough  granted  to  reenlisting 
veterans,  and  Lieutenants  Clarke  of  E  and  Usher  of  G- 
performed  the  duties  of  his  office. 

This  winter  of  1863-64  is  spoken  of  by  various  army 
correspondents  and  writers  as  a  season  of  remarkable 
religious  interest  throughout  the  army.  "  The  Christian 
Commission,"  says  the  author  of  "Three  Years  in  the 
Sixtli  Corps,"  "among  other  good  things  which  it  did 
for  the  soldiers  —  and,  indeed,  this  was  among  the  best  — 
made  arrangements,  by  which  it  loaned  to  nearly  every 


1864.]    WINTER   QUARTERS  AT   BRANDY   STATION.         225 

brigade  in  the  army  a  large  canvas,  to  be  used  as  a  roof 
for  a  brigade  chapel.  These  chapels  were  built  of  logs 
and  covered  with  the  canvas,  and  were,  in  many  cases, 
large  enough  to  hold  three  hundred  people.  Here  relig 
ious  services  were  held,  not  only  on  Sunday  but  also  on 
week-day  evenings.  A  deep  religious  interest  prevailed 
in  many  of  the  brigades,  and  great  numbers  of  soldiers 
professed  to  have  met  with  a  change  of  heart."  In  the 
Regiment  Chaplain  Beugless  was  particularly  active  in  all 
these  religious  movements,  and  in  other  ways  he  was 
industrious  in  serving  the  welfare  of  the  men.  About 
the  middle  of  January  he  succeeded  in  completing  the 
construction  of  a  chapel  for  his  own  congregation,  and 
on  the  23rd  it  was  dedicated  with  appropriate  and  inter 
esting  exercises.  Chaplain  Clarke  of  the  First  Rhode 
Island  Cavalry  preached  a  sermon,  and  Chaplain  Roberts 
of  the  4th  \7ermont  offered  the  dedicatory  prayer.  The 
chapel,  which  received  the  name  of  Hope,  was  crowded 
upon  the  occasion.  The  building  was  simply  furnished. 
Pine  boughs  made  a  carpet  for  the  earthen  floor.  Tin 
canisters  were  somehow  transformed  into  chandeliers  and 
candelabra.  The  seats  were  taken  from  a  Methodist 
chapel  —  unused  since  the  beginning  of  the  war — in 
Jefferson,  about  nine  miles  distant  from  camp,  and  were 
brought  in  after  some  skirmishing  on  the  road  with 
guerrillas.  Possibly  the  Methodist  brethren,  of  the  church 
militant  in  this  instance,  were  unwilling  to  be  despoiled 
of  their  chapel  furniture  without  some  show  of  fight  for 
the  faith  and  its  accessories.  Captain  Beveridge  of  Gl 
and  his  men,  who  were  out  on  this  ecclesiastical  enter 
prise,  did  a  little  foraging  on  their  own  account,  and  had 
to  answer  for  it  at  headquarters.  However,  the  seats 
wrere  brought  safely  in,  and  the  re-consecration  did  nc» 
harm. 


226  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.         [Jan., 

The  chapel  was  very  useful.  Besides  the  religious 
services  on  Sunday  and  at  other  times  during  the  week, 
the  building  was  occupied  for  a  school,  in  which  gram 
mar,  arithmetic,  algebra  and  book-keeping  were  taught 
by  the  chaplain.  The  Rhode  Island  Lyceum  was  also 
established,  and  grave  questions  were  debated  every  Mon 
day  evening  with  considerable  ingenuity  and  skill.  Now 
and  then  a  lecture  was  delivered  in  it  by  some  visitor  at 
headquarters.  The  wives  of  several  of  the  officers  came 
down  to  spend  a  week  or  two  with  their  husbands,  and 
enlivened  the  camp  and  freshened  the  routine  of  its  duty 
with  their  presence.  Washington's  birthday  was  duly 
observed,  as  Christmas  had  been,  with  appropriate  festivi 
ties.  The  chaplain  had  the  satisfaction  of  writing  home, 
that  "  seriousness  and  order  seem  to  have  largely  taken 
the  place  of  wild,  reckless,  extravagant  conversation,  and 
loud,  lewd  and  profane  talk."  An  army  church  was 
formed,  with  twenty-six  members,  and  the  "interest  and 
harmony  pervading  the  Regiment  was  very  marked  and 
unusual."  When  we  are  also  told,  that  a  fine  market  was 
opened  at  Brandy  Station,  we  can  well  believe  the  worthy 
chaplain,  when  he  tells  us,  that  "never  has  the  army 
been  so  well  cared  for  as  this  winter,  either  morally, 
mentally  or  physically."  As  a  result,  we  may  quote  the 
words  of  Dr.  Stevens  of  the  77th  New  York:  "Never 
had  such  general  good  health  prevailed  among  our 
camps,  and  never  were  the  men  so  well  contented,  or  in 
so  good  spirits." 

When  Adjutant  Rhodes  went  home  he  was  accom 
panied  by  Captain  Shaw  and  Lieutenants  Prentiss  and 
T.  J.  Smith,  who  had  also  signified  their  intention  of 
continuing  in  the  service.  The  reenlisted  men  were  also 
allowed  their  furlough,  and  were  sent  home  under  charge 
of  Captain  Shaw.  While  at  home  they  were  joined  by 


18G4.]    WINTER   QUARTERS   AT   BRANDY   STATION.          227 

veterans  from  the  Third,  Fourth,  the  Light  Artillery, 
and  other  regiments  belonging  to  Rhode  Island.  The 
General  Assembly  was  in  session,  and  a  committee  was 
appointed,  consisting  of  the  governor,  the  lieutenant- 
governor,  Messrs.  B.  C.  Hill,  J.  M.  Pendleton,  A.  C. 
Mathewson,  W.  F.  Peckham,  and  T.  A.  Whitman,  of 
the  Senate,  and  W.  P.  Sheffield,  George  L.  Clarke,  J. 
D'W.  Perry,  D.  S.  Harris,  and  Rowland  Hazard,  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  to  tender  them  a  formal  recep 
tion.  The  14th  of  March  was  designated  for  the  occasion, 
and  on  that  day,  after  a  short  parade  in  the  city  of  Provi 
dence,  the  veterans  met  in  Howard  Hall,  where  a 
bountiful  collation  was  spread  for  their  entertainment. 
Addresses  were  made  by  Governor  Smith,  Lieutenant- 
Governor  Padelford,  Hon.  W.  P.  Sheffield,  Bishop  Clark, 
Hon.  Abraham  Payne,  President  Sears  of  Brown  Univers 
ity,  and  Rev.  A.  Woodbury.  The  exercises  passed  off 
happily,  and  the  reception  was  a  creditable  and  enjoyable 
occasion.  All  the  speakers  alluded,  in  cordial  and  appre 
ciative  terms,  to  the  good  service  which  the  men  of  the 
Second  had  rendered  to  the  state. 

The  Regiment  thus  passed  the  time,  pleasantly,  profit 
ably  and  quietly  in  camp,  only  disturbed  by  occasional 
but  fruitless  alarms,  until  the  26th  of  February,  when 
orders  were  received  to  move  by  daylight  on  the  follow 
ing  day.  The  column,  consisting  of  the  entire  Sixth 
Corps,  a  division  of  the  Third,  and  a  body  of  cavalry, 
got  well  upon  the  road  by  9  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of 
the  27th,  crossed  Mountain  creek,  passed  through  Cul- 
pepper  Court  House,  and  went  into  camp  that  night 
near  Cedar  Mountain.  On  the  next  day  the  command 
marched  through  James  City,  and  arrived  at  Robertson's 
creek  about  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  The  2nd  brigade 
crossed,  and  took  possession  of  Madison  Court  House. 


228  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.    [March, 

The  Second  Regiment  went  out  to  picket  the  road.  The 
cavalry,  under  General  Ouster,  went  away  in  the  night 
toward  Charlottesville,  by  way  of  Barboursville,  and 
succeeded  in  reaching  a  point  within  four  miles  of  the 
former  place.  Here  they  were  met  by  a  cavalry  force 
of  the  enemy,  and  were  obliged  to  retreat  by  way  of 
Stannardsville.  General  Ouster,  with  his  command, 
returned  safely  to  Madison  Court  House  on  the  1st  of 
March,  when  the  entire  force  started  on  its  return.  The 
Regiment  reached  its  camp  at  Brandy  Station  about  6 
o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  2nd. 

An  interesting  account  of  this  movement  in  detail  was 
given  at  the  time  by  a  correspondent  with  the  Regiment, 
&  portion  of  which  can  well  be  transferred  to  these  pages. 
•"  Saturday  morning  (the  27th  of  February)  came,  as 
bright  and  beautiful  as  ever  winter  saw.  The  roads  were 
in  splendid  condition,  the  men  in  good  trim,  and  all  was 
propitious.  Off  we  started  at  the  appointed  time,  moving 
l}y  way  of  Culpepper  in  the  direction  of  Madison.  James 
€ity,  a  point  ten  miles  west  of  Culpepper,  and  sixteen 
miles  from  camp,  was  reached  by  half -past  four,  p.  M., 
and  here  we  bivouacked  for  the  night.  There  were 
grassy  plains  and  groves  of  pine  around,  and  the  bands 
played  their  liveliest  airs.  The  Sabbath  dawned  with 
promise,  and  the  sun  smiled  propitiously,  as  we  moved 
forward  to  Robertson's  river,  which  was  reached  by  the 
advance  at  eleven,  A.  M.  Here  the  cavalry  pickets  of  the 
<3nemy  were  met,  but  hastily  betook  themselves  to  the 
sunny  side  of  the  Rapidan.  The  Jersey  brigade  was 
pushed  forward  to  Madison  Court  House,  two  miles 
beyond  the  river,  and  our  brigade  thrown  across  to 
occupy  the  heights.  The  Second  Rhode  Island  was  put 
on  picket.  As  upon  the  previous  night  and  all  that  day, 
large  lires  were  built  over  extended  tracts  of  country,  and 


1864.]    WINTER   QUARTERS   AT   BRANDY   STATION.         229 

the  bands,  both  at  Madison  and  on  the  river,  entertained 
the  rebels  resident  thereabouts  with  national  and  other 
patriotic  airs,  played  with  full  chorus  and  evident  inten 
tion  to  be  heard.  That  night  at  twelve  General  Custer, 
with  two  brigades  of  cavalry  and  two  pieces  of  artillery, 
started  for  Charlottesville  —  thirty-three  miles  southwest 
•of  Madison.  On  the  way  a  detached  camp  of  infantry 
and  artillery  was  surprised  and  destroyed,  and  seven  cais 
sons  blown  up.  At  a  point  about  four  miles  north  of 
Charlottesville  a  superior  rebel  force,  consisting  of  one 
•entire  division  of  infantry,  Stuart's  and  Fitz-Hugh  Lee's 
cavalry,  and  twenty  pieces  of  artillery,  was  met,  which 
permanently  stopped  further  progress  southward. 

"After  a  brief  engagement  General  Custer  retreated  on 
the  Stannardsville  road.  Here,  meeting  another  force  of 
the  enemy,  he  was  obliged  to  cut  his  way  through,  losing 
live  men  wounded.  About  twenty  prisoners  were  cap 
tured  and  brought  in,  the  entire  command  reaching  the 
infantry  lines  about  four,  p.  M.,  on  Tuesday,  March  1st. 
The  infantry  was  immediately  withdrawn  to  the  other 
side  of  the  river,  and  on  Wednesday  morning  we  started 
for  home.  Hundreds  of  contrabands  returned  along  with 
us  —  men,  women,  and  children,  on  horseback,  in  all 
conceivable  sorts  of  vehicles,  drawn  by  oxen,  horses,  or 
mules,  as  could  be  obtained  for  the  purpose,  or  on  foot, 
when  no  conveyance  offered.  These  were  'goin'  norf, 
by  de  grace  of  God,'  having  been  'in  de  Souf  long 
onuff.'" 

The  real  purpose  of  this  expedition  was  to  draw 
the  enemy's  attention  from  a  raid  undertaken  by  General 
Kilpatrick,  who  had  in  contemplation  the  surprise  and, 
if  possible,  the  capture  of  Richmond,  and  the  release  of 
the  Union  prisoners  there  confined.  It  was  a  brilliant 
design,  of  which  the  daring  was  more  admirable  than. 
20 


230  SECOND   KHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [April, 

were  the  prospects  of  success  encouraging.  As  it  hap 
pened,  the  command  succeeded  in  getting  within  the 
outer  defences  of  Kichmond,  and  threw  a  few  shot  and 
shell  into  the  city  itself.  But  the  movement  accom 
plished  little  more  than  causing  an  alarm  to  the  enemy, 
and  destroying  a  portion  of  his  material  of  war.  In  the 
prosecution  of  the  enterprise  Colonel  Dahlgren,  having 
been  led  astray  by  a  treacherous  guide,  lost  his  life,  and 
his  body  was  badly  mutilated  by  its  captors.  General 
Kilpatrick  started  on  his  expedition  on  the  28th  of  Feb 
ruary,  and  on  the  3rd  of  March  reached  Williamsburg, 
having  traversed  eight  counties  occupied  by  the  enemy: 
namely,  Spottsylvania,  Caroline,  Louisa,  Hanover,  Gooch- 
land,  Henrico,  Xew  Kent  and  James  City. 

The  months  of  March  and  April  passed  without  event 
—  beyond  the  usual  camp  duty,  picketing,  inspection, 
review,  and  the  like.  The  men  amused  themselves  with 
base-ball  and  other  games.  One  or  two  changes  took 
place  among  the  officers.  William  F.  Smith  was  ap 
pointed  assistant  surgeon,  March  9th  —  a  very  important 
and  much  needed  appointment,  as  Dr.  Carr,  by  virtue  of 
seniority  of  rank,  was  surgeon-in-chief  of  the  brigade, 
and  was  in  other  respects  very  busily  employed.  Quarter 
master  Tate  resigned,  March  llth,  and  Second  Lieuten 
ant  Turner  of  I  was  detailed  for  the  office.  First 
Lieutenant  Southwick  of  F  was  discharged,  March  25th, 
to  accept  a  commission  of  captain  in  the  Fourteenth 
Khode  Island  Heavy  Artillery.  In  the  army,  changes 
took  place  of  great  moment.  General  Ilalleck  was 
relieved  by  his  own  request  from  the  command-in-chief, 
and  General  Grant,  who  had  been  advanced  to  the  grade 
of  lieutenant-general  on  the  2nd  of  March,  was  appointed 
to  the  position  on  the  12th,  and  on  the  17th  assumed  the 
command  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States.  Lieuten- 


1864.]    WINTER   QUARTERS   AT   BRANDY    STATION.          231 

ant-General  Grant's  field  of  operations  had  hitherto  been 
in  the  West  and  Southwest.  He  had  expressed  the 
opinion,  that  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  never  fought 
its  battles  out.  Rightly  judging,  that  the  rebellion 
would  live  as  long  as  Lee  and  his  army  were  able  to  hold 
the  field,  he  resolved  to  make  the  destruction  of  this 
force  his  objective  point.  Leaving  to  that  brilliant 
soldier,  General  W.  T.  Sherman,  the  general  conduct  of 
the  war  in  the  West,  Grant  fixed  his  own  headquarters 
with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

The  lieutenant-general  on  his  arrival  gave  the  army  a 
thorough  inspection.  He  found  it  in  excellent  condition, 
but  decided  to  make  a  partial  reorganization.  Three 
corps  were  formed:  the  Second,  under  Hancock,  the 
Fifth,  under  Warren,  and  the  Sixth,  under  Sedgwick. 
The  First  Corps  was  merged  in  the  Fifth,  two  divisions 
of  the  Third  were  transferred  to  the  Second,  and  the 
remaining  division  to  the  Sixth.  The  3rd  division  of 
the  Sixth  was  broken  up  —  Wheaton's  and  Eustis's  bri 
gades  being  assigned  to  the  2nd  division,  and  to  the 
1st,  Shaler's  brigade.  The  corps  was  now  organized  as 
follows:  1st  division,  Brigadier-General  H.  G.  Wright; 
1st  brigade,  Colonel  W.  H.  Penrose,  2nd  brigade,  Col 
onel  E.  Upton,  3rd  brigade,  Brigadier-General  D.  A. 
Russell,  4th  brigade,  Brigadier-General  A.  Shaler;  2nd 
division,  Brigadier-General  George  W.  Getty;  1st  bri 
gade,  Brigadier-General  Frank  Wheaton,  2nd  brigade, 
Colonel  L.  A.  Grant,  3rd  brigade,  Brigadier-General  T. 
H.  Neill,  4th  brigade,  Brigadier-General  L.  A.  Eustis; 
3rd  division,  Brigadier-General  James  B.  Ricketts;  1st 
brigade,  Brigadier-General  W.  H.  Morris,  2nd  brigade, 
Brigadier-General  Truman  Seymour,  3rd  brigade,  Colonel 
Keiffer.  The  great  struggle  was  fast  approaching,  and 
the  army  was  put  in  the  best  state  possible  to  engage  in  it. 


232  SECOND   RHODE  ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.          [May, 

In  the  Regiment  every  preparation  was  made  for  the 
coming  campaign.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Read  was  active- 
in  drilling  and  disciplining  his  command.  The  absentees, 
except  those  serving  on  staff  and  special  duty,  were  all 
back  in  camp  by  the  middle  of  April,  Captain  Shaw 
bringing  on  a  body  of  recruits.  The  chaplain  delivered 
stirring  and  patriotic  addresses  to  the  Regiment.  The 
company  officers  were  diligent  in  the  performance  of  their 
duties.  There  was  but  about  six  weeks'  service  for  tho 
original  members  of  the  Second.  But,  as  the  beginning 
of  their  term  of  duty  was  signalized  by  the  severe  and 
bloody  engagement  at  Bull  Run,  its  end  was  distin 
guished  by  the  sanguinary  battles  of  the  Wilderness  and 
Spottsylvania. 


1864.]  THE   OPENING   BATTLE   OF   1864.  233 


CHAPTER    XVI. 
THE   OPENING   BATTLE   OF   1864. 


j^ENERAL  Grant,  having  well  matured  his  plans,  and 
having  completed  the  reorganization  of  his  armies, 
opened  the  campaign  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
General  Burnside  had  been  engaged  during  the  winter  in. 
recruiting  and  reorganizing  the  Ninth  Corps.  On  the 
23rd  of  April  the  corps  left  Annapolis,  which  had  been 
its  place  of  rendezvous,  and  on  the  25th  marched  across 
Long  Bridge  into  Virginia,  first  paying  a  marching  salute 
to  the  president,  as  it  passed  Willard's  hotel  in  Washing 
ton.  Burnside  moved  his  command  out  to  Warrenton, 
and  by  the  1st  of  May  was  fully  prepared  to  cooperate 
with  General  Meade,  in  forwarding  the  final  movement. 
On  the  3rd  of  May  the  advance  started  upon  the 
march,  and  the  Sixth  Corps  was  ordered  to  move  early 
the  next  morning.  At  2-J  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the 
4fch  the  reveille  waked  the  camp,  and  at  4  o'clock  the 
ground  was  vacated.  General  Lee  had  his  army  well 
posted  on  the  south  side  of  the  Rapidan,  and  General 
Grant's  plan  was  to  turn  his  position  and  compel  him  to 
fight  a  battle  with  his  communications  cut  off,  hoping 
thus  to  decide  the  campaign.  Grant  aimed  at  Lee's 
20* 


234  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.         [May,. 

right  flank  and  rear,  and  accordingly  crossed  the  Rapi- 
dan  —  the  Second  Corps  at  Ely's,  the  Fifth  and  Sixth 
Corps  at  Germania  Ford.  The  crossing  was  successfully 
accomplished  on  the  4th  of  May.  The  march  was 
continued  for  three  or  four  miles  into  the  Wilderness, 
lying  between  Orange  Court  House  and  the  Rapidan. 
Encamping  here  for  the  night,  early  on  the  5th  the 
command  resumed  its  movement.  When  near  the  inter 
section  of  the  Stevensburg  plank  road  and  the  Orange- 
turnpike  the  pickets  of  the  enemy  were  met.  It  seems,, 
that  the  advance  forces  of  both  armies  bivouacked  within 
three  miles  of  each  other  without  suspecting  their  prox 
imity — Warren  on  the  the  one  side,  Ewell  on  the  other. 
Both  commanders  resumed  their  march  in  the  morning,, 
and  General  Griffin,  who  had  the  leading  division  of  the- 
Fifth  Corps,  soon  found  himself  somewhat  unexpectedly 
in  the  presence  of  the  enemy.  It  was  thought  to  be  his1 
rear-guard,  for  General  Lee  was  not  expected  to  take  the 
bold  step  of  acting  on  the  offensive.  General  Warren 
made  his  dispositions  to  attack  and  crush  his  adversary, 
not  thinking,  that  he  had  the  advance  of  Lee's  entire, 
army  to  encounter.  At  noon  Griffin  made  an  impetuous 
attack,  and  won  a  temporary  success.  But  as  the  remain 
der  of  E  well's  corps  came  up  the  attack  was  returned,  and 
Warren  was  forced  back. 

Meanwhile,  the  Sixth  Corps  advanced  to  participate  in 
the  struggle.  The  movement  through  the  Wilderness 
was  checked  —  that  much  was  certain.  The  tangled 
paths  were  only  too  well  known  to  Lee,  and  he  hoped  to 
stop  Grant  on  his  way,  and  even  to  force  him  to  retire,  as. 
he  had  done  to  other  commanders,  in  previous  battles. 
The  Sixth  Corps  was  gallantly  brought  into  action,  taking 
position  for  the  relief  of  Warren,  on  the  right  of  the 
Fifth.  Neill's  and  the  New  Jersey  brigade  were  in  the 


18G4.]  THE   OPENING    BATTLE   OF   1864.  235 

first  line  of  battle,  in  the  rear,  Russell's,  Upton's  and 
Shaler's,  on  the  right,  Seymour  and  Morris.  Here  the 
brave  fellows  had  a  severe  fight,  repelling  repeated  assaults 
of  the  enemy.  Getty's  division  was  sent  down  to  hold 
the  very  important  position  at  the  junction  of  the  Brock 
road,  so  called,  up  which  Hancock  was  expected,  with 
the  plank  road.  "  Toward  this  point,"  says  Dr.  Stevens, 
in  his  "Three  Years  in  the  Sixth  Corps,"  "Hill  was 
hastening  his  rebel  corps  down  the  turnpike,  with  the. 
design  of  interposing  between  Hancock  and  the  main 
army.  No  sooner  had  the  division  reached  the  crossing- 
of  the  two  roads  than  the  1st  brigade,  General  Whea  ton's, 
became  hotly  engaged  with  Hill's  corps,  which  was 
coming  down  the  road.  The  Vermont  brigade  quickly 
formed  on  the  left  of  the  plank  road,  and  the  Massa 
chusetts  brigade  on  the  right  of  the  first.  The  engage 
ment  became  general  at  once,  and  each  brigade  was 
suffering  heavy  losses.  The  men  'hugged  the  ground 
closely,  firing  as  rapidly  as  possible."  Getty  hung  OB 
tenaciously,  and,  upon  Hancock's  coming  up,  about  4 
o'clock,  attacked  vigorously,  supported  by  Birney  and 
Mott  of  the  Second  Corps.  The  Regiment  out  on  the 
skirmish  line  was  very  briskly  engaged,  and  several  men 
were  killed  and  wounded.  Captain  Mclntyre  of  E  was 
killed.  Chaplain  Beugless  was  struck  in  the  right  arm. 
The  battle  had  now  become  general,  and  continued  with 
great  severity  until  8  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  dark 
ness  stopped  the  fight.  Up  and  down  the  forest  paths, 
among  the  underbrush,  the  contest  was  waged,  but  with 
no  decisive  results  on  either  side.  General  Getty  with 
his  division  fought  with  distinguished  bravery,  but  with 
no  notable  advantage,  even  though  Hancock,  with  charac 
teristic  energy,  delivered  with  his  corps  "repeated  and 
desperate  assaults."  It  wTas  a  fierce  grapple,  and  when 


236  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [May, 

the  night  fell  the  exhausted  combatants  were  glad  to  rest. 
Getty  himself  was  wounded,  and  General  Neill  succeeded 
to  the  command  of  the  division. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  Burnside  arrived  with 
three  divisions  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  and  the  line  was 
formed  with  Sedgwick  on  the  right,  Warren,  Burnside 
and  Hancock  on  the.  left.  On  the  other  side  Ewell 
faced  Sedgwick  and  Warren,  Longstreet,  who  had  also 
approached  in  the  night,  was  in  front  of  Burnside,  and 
Hill  opposed  Hancock.  The  fight  of  the  preceding  day 
had  been  preliminary.  The  combatants  had  been  feeling 
each  other's  strength.  Each  commander  had  been  so 
far  emboldened  by  the  experience,  as  to  have  decided 
upon  taking  the  aggressive.  Lee's  plan,  according  to 
Mr.  Swinton,*  was  "to  deliver  an  overwhelming  blow 
on  the  left  of  the  Union  army,"  thus  pushing  Grant  back 
upon  the  Eapidan.  But  Longstreet's  whole  corps  was 
needed  to  make  this  attack  effective.  Until  he  could  be 
brought  into  action  the  attention  of  General  Grant  must 
be  distracted,  and  so  General  Lee  determined  to  threaten 
our  right.  .  Grant  had  ordered  an  attack  at  5  o'clock  in 
the  morning.  Lee,  at  4.45,  delivered  an  attack  upon 
Sedgwick.  The  brunt  of  this  aggressive  movement  fell 
upon  Seymour's  brigade,  upon  our  extreme  right.  Rick- 
ett's  and  Wright's  divisions  were  drawn  into  the  engage 
ment,  and  so  well  did  the  Sixth  behave,  that  it  not  only 
repulsed  the  enemy,  but  also  made  an  actual  gain  of  a 
portion  of  the  ground  in  its  front.  But  this  was  all. 
The  enemy  hastily  intrenched  himself,  and  the  Sixth 
could  do  but  little  more  than  make  unavailing  attacks 
upon  the  strongly  posted  lines  in  front.  Our  men  fought 
bravely  and  persistently.  But,  after  the  first  advantage 

*Campaigns  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  p.  429. 


1864.]  THE   OPENING   BATTLE   OF   1864.  23? 

of  the  morning,  there  was  no  further  gain.  A  lull  came 
on  in  the  middle  of  the  forenoon,  and  continued  until 
4  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  another  attack  was  made,  involving 
considerable  loss.  Just  before  dark  Ewell  made  a  desper 
ate  assault  around  our  right  flank,  and  inflicted  a  serious 
damage.  The  brigades  of  Generals  Seymour  and  Shaler 
were  surprised,  overpowered  and  broken  to  pieces,  and 
both  commanders,  with  a  considerable  number  of  their 
men,  were  captured.  General  Sedgwick,  with  several 
members  of  his  staff,  appeared  upon  the  field  in  the 
midst  of  the  confusion.  "  Rushing  here  and  there,"  says 
Dr.  Stevens,  "regardless  of  personal  safety,  he  faced  the 
disordered  mass  of  fugitives  of  the  3rd  division,  and  with 
threats  and  entreaties  prevailed  upon  them  to  halt;  then 
turning  to  the  veterans  of  the  1st  division,  he  shouted  to> 
them  to  remember  the  honor  of  the  Sixth  Corps.  This 
was  an  irresistible  appeal,  and  the  corps  now  charged 
upon  the  exultant  foe,  and  forced  them  back  until  our 
breastworks  were  recaptured."  Finally  order  was  re 
stored,  the  enemy  was  repulsed,  and  the  lines  were 
reestablished.  Later  in  the  evening  the  enemy  made 
another  attack  upon  the  Sixth.  This  time  he  was  met 
by  the  veterans  of  Xeill's  brigade,  and  was  handsomely 
driven  back  and  silenced  for  the  night. 

Meanwhile,  upon  the  left  of  the  line,  the  battle  had 
been  furious.  Hancock  opened  the  fight  about  5  o'clock 
in  the  morning  by  an  attack  with  Wadsworth's  division 
of  the  Fifth  Corps,  Getty's  of  the  Sixth,  Birney's,  Mott's 
and  a  part  of  Gibbon's  of  the  Second,  which  was  extremely 
well  delivered,  and  succeeded  in  pushing  the  enemy  back 
in  disorder  for  a  mile  or  more,  with  a  heavy  loss  of  guns 
and  prisoners.  The  success,  however,  carried  the  troops 
so  far  into  the  underbrush,  and  among  the  tangled  vines 
and  the  luxuriant  growth  of  the  forest,  as  to  break  up 


238  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.         [May, 

their  formation,  and  considerable  time  was  required  for 
the  readjustment  of  the  lines.  Had  it  been  possible  to 
follow  up  this  advantage  and  press  the  attack,  a  very 
great  injury  would  doubtless  have  been  inflicted  upon  the 
enemy.  But  when,  an  hour  or  two  later,  the  corps  had 
been  reformed,  and  Stevenson's  division  of  the  Ninth  had 
been  sent  over  to  reenforce  it,  the  enemy  had  also  been 
strengthened.  When  Hancock  attacked  again,  about  9 
o'clock,  he  could  accomplish  nothing.  No  further  ad 
vantage  was  gained  during  the  day,  notwithstanding  the 
fierce  fighting  which  subsequently  took  place.  In  this 
part  of  the  field,  somewhat  to  the  left  and  rear,  was 
Eustis's  brigade  of  the  Sixth,  supporting  a  force  that  Avjas 
intrenched  across  the  Brock  road,  upon  the  extreme  left 
flank.  It  was  thought,  that  Longstreet  would  make  his 
appearance  in  that  quarter,  and  Hancock  had  thus  pre 
pared  to  receive  him.  Longstreet,  however,  moved 
directly  upon  Hancock's  front,  and  was  very  effective  in 
checking  the  advancement  of  our  lines  after  the  tempo 
rary  success  of  the  morning.  During  the  forenoon  prepa 
rations  were  made  for  a  strong  attack  by  Longstreet,  upon 
Hancock's  flank  and  rear.  A  very  successful  assault  was 
made  upon  the  front  of  the  Second  Corps,  in  the  midst 
of  which  General  Wadsworth  fell  mortally  wounded, 
while  endeavoring  to  stem  the  torrent  of  retreat.  At  the 
same  time  a  heavy  column  was  sent  round  our  left  flank, 
and  was  just  coming  into  position  when  General  Long- 
street  was  accidentally  shot  by  his  own  men,  and  was 
carried  from  the  field  severely  wounded.  By  this  chance 
was  the  Union  left  saved  from  disaster.  For  Longstreet's 
fall  effectually  stopped  the  movement.  This  cessation  of 
the  battle  enabled  both  sides  to  gather  in  their  forces. 
Colonel  Leasure  of  the  Ninth  Corps  came  down  with  a 
brigade,  and  made  a  gallant  movement  across  Hancock's 


1804.]  THE   OPENING    BATTLE   OF   1864.  239 

front,  clearing  away  the  immediate  obstructions.     About 
the  middle  of  the  afternoon  General  Lee  attempted  a 
second    attack  with    Longstreet's   corps,    and    charged 
upon   Hancock's  lines  with   considerable    impetuosity, 
inflicting,  as  well  as  suffering,  some  serious  injury.     But 
the  attempt  was  unavailing,  and  at  dark  the  enemy's 
forces  were  withdrawn  within  their  own  intrenched  lines. 
It  was  a  strange  battle.     The  nature  of  the  ground 
virtually  forbade  any  fighting  with  artillery  or  cavalry. 
It  was  almost  wholly  a  conflict  of  infantry.     Carried  on 
among  the  trees  and  in  the  swamps,  it  was  also,  in  a 
measure,  an  independent  kind  of  contest.     Officers  could 
scarcely  see  their   men.     The  smoke  hung  low  in  the 
branches  of  the  trees  and  in  the  thick  growth  of  bushes 
and  underbrush.     Very  little  direction  could  be  given  by 
the  officers,  and  it  was  only  by  the  utmost  care  that  any 
formation  could  be   preserved.     In  several  places  fires 
would  kindle   among  the  thickets,  and  the  horrors  of 
burning  were  added  to  the  pains  of  wounds.     The  roads 
in  the  rear  were  filled  with  stragglers  and  disabled  men, 
trying  to  find  the  hospitals.     They  could  not  cross  the 
Rapidan,  as  the  rebel  cavalry  were  watching  the  fords. 
They  could  not  go  to  Fredericksburg,  as  that  town  was 
held   by  straggling  parties  of  the  enemy.     At  last  our 
own  cavalry  occupied  the  place,  and  the  wounded  found 
care  and  shelter.     It  was  a  time  of  unwonted  suffering 
and  privation,  and  the  surgeons  were  worked  to  exhaus 
tion.     Dr.  Carr  and  his  assistant,  Dr.  Smith,  with  Hos 
pital  Steward  Carr,  did  all  that  men  could  do,  to  alleviate 
the  distresses  of  the  situation,  and  succeeded  in  having 
the  men  of  the  Second  comparatively  well  cared  for. 

The  list  of  casualties  in  the  Regiment  for  the  two  days' 
fighting  and  the  skirmishing  on  the  road  shows  a  loss  of 
14  killed,  Gl  wounded,  and  8  missing.  Among  the 


240  SECOND   KHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [May, 

killed,  besides  Captain  Mclntyre  of  E,  were  Sergeants 
Visser  of  E  and  Blanchard  of  K,  and  Corporal  Grant  of 
€.  Among  the  wounded,  besides  the  chaplain,  Avere 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Read,  Captain  Beveridge  of  G,  Lieu 
tenants  Lyons  of  A,  Waldron  of  B,  and  Clarke  of  E, 
Sergeants  Cahoone  and  Kelly  of  B,  Wood  of  F,  Halliday 
of  H,  Corporals  Aldricli  of  A,  Rodman  of  E,  Cole  of  G, 
Kingman  of  H,  and  Cory  and  Cook  of  I.  Besides  these, 
Corporal  Tanner  of  B  was  wounded,  and  died  of  his 
injuries,  July  16th.  Corporal  Swain  of  D  was  wounded 
on  the  7th  and  died  on  the  15th;  1  private  in  D  and  1 
in  F  also  died  from  wounds  received  on  the  5th.  Among 
the  missing  were  Sergeant  Holland,  wounded  and  pris 
oner,  Sergeant  Keating  and  Corporal  Wormwood.  The 
Regiment  numbered,  before  the  battle  less  than  500  men, 
and  the  depletion  of  its  ranks  was  seriously  felt.  Among 
the  killed  also  were  several  men  who  had.  reEnlisted  and 
had  thus  received  their  final  discharge,  ere  their  term  of 
service  was  renewed. 

The  7th  was  passed  without  fighting.  Both  parties 
rested  upon  the  ground.  The  contest  had  been  very 
sanguinary,  although  it  had  been  noticed,  that  generally 
in  the  army  more  men  had  been  wounded  in  proportion 
to  the  killed  than  in  other  battles.  In  the  Second  Regi 
ment,  however,  the  proportion  was  on  the  other  side. 
The  losses  had  been  very  heavy  in  both  armies,  and 
neither  party  cared  to  recommence  the  action.  It  was 
not  in  Grant's  nature  to  retreat.  Xor  was  it  in  Grant's 
power  to  compel  Lee  to  acknowledge  a  defeat.  But  the 
Wilderness  was  no  place  to  stop  in,  and  Grant  decided  to 
move  by  his  left  to  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  thus 
making  a  second  attempt  to  put  his  army  between  Lee 
and  Richmond.  The  baggage  and  hospital  trains  were 
moved  to  Chancellorsville,  and  the  troops  were  ordered 


1804.]  THE   OPENING    BATTLE   OF   1864.  241 

to  march  as  follows:  General  Warren  with  the  Fifth 
Corps  at  8|  o'clock,  p.  M.,  by  way  of  Brock  road;  Gen 
eral  Sedgwick  with  the  Sixth,  at  8£  o'clock,  p.  M.,  by 
way  of  Chancellorsville,  taking  up  the  trains,  thence 
toward  Spottsylvania;  General  Hancock  with  the  Second, 
to  follow  the  Fifth  closely  to  Todd's  Tavern.  General 
Burnside  was  to  follow  the  Sixth.  General  Lee,  it  is 
said,  not  being  aware  in  what  direction  Grant  would 
move,  ordered  General  Anderson,  now  commanding 
Longstreet's  corps,  to  have  his  command  in  readiness  to 
move  to  Spottsylvania  on  the  morning  of  the  8th.  But 
Anderson,  not  finding  a  good  place  to  bivouac,  actually 
started  on  his  march  at  10  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the 
7th,  thus  accidentally  putting  the  advance  of  Lee's  army 
in  position  to  meet  the  advance  of  our  own  forces,  when 
they  appeared  before  the  ridge  on  which  is  situated  the 
town.  So  Mr.  Swinton  tells  the  story,  and  it  must  be 
considered  as  an  illustration  of  the  manner  in  which  war, 
although  accepted  as  a  science,  is  still  oftentimes  depend 
ent  for  its  issues  upon  what  seems  like  the  caprice  of 
fortune. 


•Ji 


242  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS. 


CHAPTER    XVII 

SPOTTSYLVANIA. 


f^EKERAL  Warren,  starting  on  the  flank  march  from 
T  *fr  the  battle  ground  of  the  Wilderness,  about  9  o'clock 
M.  in  the  evening  of  the  7th,  was  delayed  for  an  hour 
and  a  half  at  Todd's  Tavern  by  General  Meade's  cavalry 
escort.  There  was  still  another  delay  for  three  hours  at 
4i  point  beyond,  caused  by  a  cavalry  skirmish.  In  conse 
quence,  Warren  did  not  succeed  in  clearing  the  road  till 
daylight  of  the  8th.  At  8  o'clock  the  Fifth  Corps  had 
reached  an  open  space  in  the  woods,  about  two  miles  this 
side  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House.  While  crossing  this 
Held  the  leading  division,  Robinson's,  was  opened  upon 
by  the  enemy's  infantry,  posted  in  the  woods  in  front. 
The  other  divisions  soon  joined,  and  an  intrenched  line 
was  formed.  Later  in  the  day  the  Sixth  came  up.  But 
meanwhile,  Lee's  army  had  been  arriving  on  the  other 
side.  Finally,  the  day  was  so  advanced  when  the  disposi 
tions  for  attack  were  completed,  that  the  assault  amounted 
to  but  little  more  than  the  capture  of  a  few  prisoners 
belonging  to  E well's  corps,  which  was  struck  while  upon 
the  march.  Hancock  did  not  come  up  at  all  on  that 
day,  being  detained  by  General  Meade  near  Todd's 


1804.]  SPOTTSYLVAXIA.  243 

Tavern.  Lee  had  seized  the  position  just  in  time,  and 
Grant's  way  was  once  more  blocked. 

For  the  next  twelve  days  there  were  movements,  in 
trenching,  skirmishings,  changes  of  position,  attacks, 
counterattacks,  hand  to  hand  contests,  fighting  of  unpar 
alleled  ferocity — events  enough  to  make  Spottsylvania 
Court  House  the  synonyme  of  horror  for  many  years  to 
come.  On  the  9th  the  rest  of  the  army  was  brought  up, 
and  the  lines  were  formed:  Hancock  on  the  right,  then 
Warren,  then  Sedgwick,  and  Burnside  on  the  left.  The 
day  passed  without  severe  fighting,  but  not  without  a 
loss  to  the  Sixtli  Corps  and  the  army,  of  which  the  grief 
is  still  painfully  felt.  General  Sedgwick  was  shot,  while 
standing  near  some  breastworks  in  front  of  his  command, 
and  almost  instantly  expired.  At  the  time,  he  supposed 
himself  beyond  the  range  of  the  enemy's  rifles.  While 
.examining  the  works  one  of  his  aides  remonstrated  with 
him  for.exposing  himself  unnecessarily,  for  the  humming 
of  the  bullets  could  be  heard,  with  a  decidedly  unpleasant 
nearness.  '"Why/*'  said  the  general,  "they  can  not  hit 
an  elephant  at  this  distance."  The  next  moment  he  was 
struck,  and  fell  into  the  arms  of  his  attendant  officer. 

General  Sedgwick  was  unquestionably  one  of  the  best 
soldiers  in  the  army.  Brave,  generous,  magnanimous, 
declining  the  honor  of  the  chief  command  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  preferring  to  lead  a  corps,  it  is  not  too- 
much  to  say,  that  he  was  fairly  idolized  by  the  men  and 
officers  of  the  Sixth.  It  was  the  privilege  of  the  author 
of  this  volume  to  enjoy  an  interview  with  him  at  his 
headquarters  at  Falmouth,  a  week  or  two  after  the  battle 
of  Fredericksburg,  and  just  after  he  had  rejoined  the 
army,  upon  his  recovery  from  the  wounds  he  received  at 
Antietam.  The  impression  of  modesty,  manliness  and 
unpretentious  courage  which  he  then  made  is  ineffaceable. 


244  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.      •  [May, 

It  was  the  same  with  all  whom  he  met,  even  in  casual 
intercourse.  "No  man  was  more  beloved  by  the  army,'* 
says  Dr.  Stevens,  who  knew  him  well,  "or  honored  by 
the  country  than  this  noble  general.  His  corps  regarded* 
him  as  a  father,  and  his  great  military  abilities  made  his 
judgment,  in  all  critical  emergencies,  sought  after  by  his 
superiors  as  well  as  his  fellows." 

John  Sedgwick  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  was 
graduated  at  West  Point  in  the  class  of  1837.  He 
entered  the  service  as  second  lieutenant,  Second  Artillery, 
and  in  1839  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant.  He  served 
with  distinction  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  at  the  time  of 
the  opening  of  the  rebellion  had  attained  the  grade  of 
colonel  in  the  Fourth  Cavalry.  In  August,  1861,  he  was 
appointed  brigadier-general  of  volunteers.  As  brigade, 
division  and  corps  commander,  on  the  Peninsula,  in 
Pope's  campaign,  at  Antietam,  Salem  Heights,  Getty** 
burg,  Rappahannock  Station,  the  Wilderness,  General 
Sedgwick  was  always  found  in  the  right  place,  and  the 
army  could  hardly  have  suffered  a  greater  loss.  Even 
Mr.  Swinton,  chary  of  praise  to  the  Union  generals,  has 
for  Sedgwick  a  word  of  cordial  commendation.  General 
Horatio  G.  Wright,  the  commander  of  the  1st  division, 
succeeded  to  the  command.  General  Russell  took  com 
mand  of  the  1st  division,  and  General  Eustis  was  assigned 
to  Russell's  brigade.  Colonel  Oliver  Edwards  of  the 
37th  Massachusetts  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the  4th 
brigade,  2nd  division. 

On  the  9th  General  Willcox's  division  of  the  Ninth 
Corps  had  a  sharp  conflict  with  the  enemy,  while  taking 
position  on  the  left.  The  Second  Corps  also,  toward 
evening,  made  a  demonstration  across  the  upper  waters 
of  the  river  Po,  but  on  the  next  day  was  withdrawn,  with 
considerable  loss  in  Barlow's  division.  On  this  day,  the 


1864.]  SPOTTSYLVAXIA.  245 

10th,  the  fighting  was  fierce  and  bloody.  The  object  of 
attack  was  a  wooded  hill  in  front  of  the  Fifth  Corps. 
Four  times  —  once  in  the  morning,  three  times  in  the 
afternoon  —  was  the  attack  made  by  troops  belonging  to 
the  Second  and  Fifth  Corps,  but  each  time  they  were 
repulsed  with  heavy  loss.  It  was  estimated  that  the  loss 
in  the  last  two  attacks,  which  were  the  chief  assaults,  was 
between  five  and  six  thousand  men.  On  the  left  of  the 
line  the  Ninth  Corps,  in  the  course  of  the  afternoon, 
made  a  resolute  attack,  which  gave  Potter's  division  of 
that  corps  an  advanced  position  near  the  town.  It  was 
afterwards  withdrawn,  by  order  of  General  Grant.  On 
Warren's  left  the  chief  success  of  the  day  Avas  won  by 
Colonel  Upton,  who,  with  twelve  picked  regiments,  made 
what  Dr.  Stevens  calls  "one  of  the  most  notable  charges 
on  record."  In  this  brilliant  attack  upon  the  enemy's 
position  the  first  line  of  intrenchments  was  splendidly 
carried,  and  nine  hundred  prisoners  and  several  guns 
were  captured.  But  the  attack  was  not  supported  as  it 
should  have  been,  and  as  was  expected,  by  Mott's  division 
of  the  Second  Corps,  and  in  the  course  of  the  evening 
Upton's  command  was  withdrawn.*  The  Second  Regi 
ment  was  not  directly  engaged  in  these  assaults. 

The  llth  was  occupied  in  preparing  to  change  the 
position  of  the  Second  Corps,  preparatory  to  a  grand 
attack  upon  Lee's  right  centre.  The  movement  was 
made  in  the  evening  and  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
foe.  Hancock's  troops  were  massed  for  the  assault,  with 
Potter's  division  of  the  Ninth  Corps  upon  his  left,  and 
the  1st  and  3rd  divisions  in  support.  The  Fifth  and 
Sixth  Corps  were  held  ready  to  reenforce  the  attacking 
column  on  the  right.  The  day  had  passed  with  some 


*S\vinton,  as  above,  p.  450. 
21* 


246  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [May, 

lively  skirmishing  in  different  parts  of  the  field,  which 
had,  to  a  degree,  withdrawn  Lee's  attention  from  the- 
designated  objective.  A  shower  of  rain  had  cooled  the- 
air  and  laid  the  dust.  The  rainy  weather  lasted  into  the- 
night  and  covered  Hancock's  movement  from  observa 
tion.  In  other  parts  of  the  line  the  bivouac  fires  wero 
lighted,  the  bands  of  music  filled  the  air  with  patriotic 
strains,  and  the  soldiers  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  little 
rest — greatly  needed  after  the  toils  of  the  week.  Mean 
while,  Sheridan  was  off  with  his  cavalry  on  a  successful 
raid  upon  the  enemy's  communications,  in  which  he  did 
considerable  damage,  by  the  destruction  of  a  portion  of 
railroad,  considerable  rolling  stock  and  supplies,  recap 
turing  some  Union  prisoners,  and  killing  the  brilliant 
cavalry  officer  of  the  enemy,  General  J.  E.  B.  Stuart. 
The  intelligence  was  received  in  camp,  and  the  men  were 
in  high  spirits  and  good  order  for  the  heavy  and  bloody 
work  of  the  morrow. 

The  12th  was,  in  truth,  a  sanguinary  day.  The  fight 
ing  began  as  early  as  half -past  four  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing,  and  did  not  entirely  cease  till  nearly  midnight* 
Hancock  most  skilfully  arranged  his  column  of  attack, 
and  with  the  first  dawn,  sheltered  by  a  thick  mist, 
Barlow,  who  was  in  advance,  led  the  assault,  with  Birney 
close  upon  his  heels  and  at  his  side.  Without  firing  a 
shot,  and  in  silence,  broken  only  by  a  mistimed  cheer, 
the  men  rushed  on,  over  and  into  the  enemy's  works, 
capturing,  almost  at  a  single  stroke,  3000  men,  two 
general  officers,  Johnson  and  Stewart,  twenty  guns  and 
thirty  flags.  The  officers  were  disturbed  at  their  break 
fast.  At  6  o'clock  Hancock,  jubilant  at  the  success  of 
his  command,  was  able  to  send  word  to  headquarters: 
"  I  have  finished  up  Johnson,  and  am  now  going  into 
Early."  The  point  taken  proved  to  be  a  salient  of  the- 


1864.]  SPOTTSYLVAXIA.  :>4  ; 

enemy's  works,  and  one  of  his  most  important  positions. 
The  Xintli  Corps  was  quickly  up  on  the  left  of  Hancock, 
and  the  Sixth  upon  the  right. 

General  Lee,  exasperated  by  the  surprise  and  thoroughly 
awake  to  the  necessity  of  recapturing  the  lost  works,  now 
made  a  furious  attack.  From  9  o'clock  till  12  the  battle 
continued  without  intermission.  The  whole  army  was 
brought  into  the  struggle.  Again  and  again  did  the 
rebel  columns  dash  against  the  Second,  Ninth  and  Sixth 
Corps.  The  most  strenuous  efforts  were  made  to  regain 
the  ground,  but  they  wrere  wholly  ineffectual. 

"  Dashed  on  every  rocky  square. 
Their  surging  charges  foamed  themselves  away." 

The  retreating  wave-marks  were  deep  with  blood.  The 
rain  came  down  again.  Thousands  of  feet  trampled 
down  the  gory  mud.  The  enemy,  finding  our  men  too- 
tenacious  of  their  gains,  turned  his  attention  to  our  left 
flank,  and  fiercely  attacked  Burnside.  But  after  hard 
fighting,  in  which  the  Ninth  Corps  had  the  best  of  it  — 
Hartranft  and  S.  G.  Griffin  particularly  distinguishing 
themselves  —  the  attack  wras  repulsed.  All  the  afternoon 
the  deadly  fight  went  on  upon  our  left  and  left  centre. 
"Every  inch  of  muddy  and  gory  soil  was  fought  over 
with  desperation,"  says  the  Army  and  Navy  Journal  for 
May  21st,  "and  yielded  only  when  impossible  to  Jiold  it. 
Neither  the  rain  nor  the  wretched  mire  of  the  roads 
delayed  the  rapidity  or  intensity  of  the  fight.  The  rival 
bayonets  often  interlocked,  and  a  bloody  grapple  over 
the  intrenchments  lasted  for  hours,  the  rebel  battle  flags 
now  surging  up  side  by  side  with  our  own,  and  anon, 
torn  and  riddled,  disappearing  in  the  woods.  The  dead 
and  wounded  lay  thickly  strewn  along  the  ground,  and 
fairly  heaped  up  where  the  fight  was  deadliest" — the 


248  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.          [May, 

bitterness  and  hideousness  of  war!  Five  successive  at 
tacks  did  Lee  make,  only  to  be  beaten  back  with  tremen 
dous  loss.  The  place  in  the  enemy's  lines,  thus  brilliantly 
captured  and  thus  stubbornly  held,  was  known  as  the 
angle  —  a  strong  "salient,  well  ditched  in  front,  and 
defended  by  cannon  at  every  point."  Right  valiantly 
was  it  taken  and  held! 

It  was  altogether  the  fiercest  contest  of  the  week.  All 
accounts  agree  in  the  character  of  the  struggle.  The 
2nd  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  was  in  the  very  hottest  of 
it.  It  was  "a  hand  to  hand  combat,"  says  the  author  of 
"Three  Years  in  the  Sixth  Corps."  "A  breastwork  of 
logs  separated  the  combatants.  Our  men  would  reach 
over  this  partition,  and  discharge  their  muskets  in  the 
face  of  the  enemy,  and  in  return  Avould  receive  the  fire  of 
the  rebels  at  the  same  close  range.  Finally  the  men 
began  to  use  their  muskets  as  clubs,  and  then  rails  were 
used.  They  were  willing  thus  to  fight  from  behind 
the  breastworks,  but  to  rise  up  and  attempt  a  charge  in 
the  face  of  an  enemy  so  near  at  hand  and  so  strong  in 
numbers  required  unusual  bravery.  Yet  they  did  charge 
and  drove  the  rebels  back."  As  an  evidence  of  the 
intensity  of  the  conflict,  it  is  stated,  that  "the  trees,  in 
front  of  the  position  held  by  the  Sixth  Corps  during  this 
remarkable  straggle,  were  literally  cut  to  pieces  by  bullets. 
Even  trees  more  than  a  foot  in  diameter  were  cut  off  by 
the  constant  action  of  the  balls." 

A  hard  day  for  the  Second,  this!  It  had  gone  with 
the  2nd  division  into  the  fight  immediately  after  Han 
cock's  brilliant  success  of  the  morning,  leading  Edwards's 
brigade.  It  occupied  the  rifle-pits  in  the  angle  that  had 
been  wrested  from  the  enemy,  and  there,  where  the 
fighting  was  thus  hot  and  bloody,  with  its  comrades  of 
the  brigade,  it  remained  to  meet  and  repel  the  enemy's 


18C4.]  SPOTTSYLVAXIA. 

repeated  assaults.  Of  the  ferocity  of  the  struggle  suf 
ficient  has  been  said.  While  all  our  men  did  well,. 
none  did  better  than  the  Second  Regiment.  Steady  and 
firm,  ever  ready  for  the  desperate  attacks  made  upon  its. 
position,  cool  and  determined,  it  won  fresh  encomium 
for  its  valor  on  a  day,  when,  if  at  any  time,  valor 
was  needed.  Officers  and  men  fell,  Colonel  Read  was 
wounded,  the  second  time  within  a  week,  Captain  Shaw 
was  killed,  but  the  Regiment  stood  firmly  to  its  task 
through  that  long  day  of  fourteen  hours'  bloody  work,, 
never  showing  signs  of  exhaustion,  but  always  prompt, 
fresh  and  trustworthy.  It  was  a  severe  test  of  soldierly 
quality,  and  nobly  was  the  test  sustained.  For  his 
gallantry  and  skill  in  handling  his  command  in  this  week 
of  fighting  and  marching,  the  brave  lieutenant-colonel 
won  his  full  colonelcy.  But  his  last  wound  was  so  severe- 
as  to  compel  him  to  leave  the  Regiment  in  the  hands  of 
Major  Jencks,  and  return  to  Rhode  Island,  to  await 
recovery. 

The  result  of  the  day's  fighting  was  to  force  back  the- 
enemy's  lines  for  about  a  mile,  but  his  position  was  still 
of  great  strength.  The  rain  still  continued,  and  the- 
ground  was  in  a  shocking  state.  The  13th,  therefore, 
was  a  day  of  partial  rest,  broken  by  an  occasional  recon- 
noissance  to  determine  the  enemy's  new  position,  and  the 
performance  of  the  sad  duty  of  the  burial  of  the  dead 
and  the  relief  of  the  wounded.  The  hospitals  were 
crowded.  The  surgeons  were  worked  to  the  extent  of 
their  strength.  The  agents  of  the  Sanitary  and  Christian 
Commissions  rendered  timely  and  efficient  service.  But, 
at  the  best,  the  condition  of  those  who  were  Buffering 
from  severe  wounds  was  mournful.  Many  a  poor  fellow 
crawled  away  into  the  woods  to  die.  Order  gradually 
wrought  itself  out  of  the  chaos,  and  in  the  course  of  a 


250  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAXD   VOLUNTEERS.          [Mil)> 

few  days  the  cheering  intelligence  was  sent  northward, 
that  our  wounded  were  doing  well. 

During  the  night  of  the  13th  the  position  of  our  lines 
was  changed,  with  the  hope  that  a  successful  attack  could 
be  made  upon  the  enemy's  right  flank.  With  this  in 
view,  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps  were  moved  to  the  left. 
Through  the  deep  mud  and  mire  the  men  tramped  along 
—  starting  at  9  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  not  reaching 
their  designated  points  till  after  daylight  on  the  14th. 
The  line  as  reestablished  ran  as  follows:  the  Second 
Corps  on  the  right,  then  the  Ninth,  next  the  Sixth,  and 
the  Fifth  on  the  left.  The  Sixth  was  thrown  a  little  to 
the  rear,  as  though  in  reserve,  and  finally  was  moved  to 
the  left  of  the  line.  There  was,  however,  no  possibility 
of  making  an  attack.  The  enemy  was  everywhere  on  the 
alert,  our  own  troops  were  worn  with  marching  and  the 
previous  fighting,  and  the  intervening  ground,  soft  with 
the  rain,  forbade  any  quick  movement  or  charge,  if  such 
were  possible.  The  most  that  could  be  done  was  to 
intrench  the  new  position,  and  both  armies  went  diligently 
to  work.  In  the  forenoon,  however,  Upton's  brigade  of 
the  1st  division  of  the  Sixth  had  a  sharp  skirmish  with 
the  enemy,  in  capturing  a  house  across  the  Ny,  which 
was  thought  desirable  to  include  within  our  lines.  In 
the  afternoon  our  men  were  in  turn  attacked  and  forced 
back.  Again  in  the  evening  Neill's  division  of  the 
Sixth,  with  a  brigade  of  the  Fifth  Corps,  succeeded  in 
retaking  the  position. 

The  15th  was  Sunday,  and  to  most  of  the  army  it  was 
really  a  day  of  rest.  There  was  but  little  marching,  some 
slight  skirmishing,  and  an  occasional  interchange  of  shots 
at  the  outposts.  A  division  of  the  Second  Corps  had  a 
sharp  affair  of  short  duration  in  the  afternoon,  but  in 
general  every  thing  was  quiet,  and  the  men  gratefully 


1864.]  SPOTTSYLVAXIA. 

accepted  the  repose.  On  the  IGth  and  l?th  nothing  of 
importance  was  done.  The  storm  ceased  on  Saturday, 
and  during  the  next  three  days  the  roads  again  became 
dry  and  passable.  On  the  evening  of  the  l?th  the  posi 
tion  of  the  army  was  again  changed,  preparatory  to  an 
attack  on  the  18th.  The  Sixth  Corps  was  now  on  the 
right,  then  the  Second,  the  Ninth,  and  on  the  left  the 
Fifth.  The  attack  was  made,  not  far  from  5  o'clock  in 
the  morning  of  the  18th,  by  the  1st  and  2nd  divisions  of 
the  Second  Corps,  supported  by  the  2nd  and  3rd  divisions 
of  the  Sixth,  and  aided  by  three  divisions  of  the  Ninth 
upon  the  left.  The  assault  was  made  with  determination 
and  vigor,  but  the  abattis  and  slashings  were  impenetra 
ble,  and  after  brave  and  unavailing  attempts,  accompanied 
by  considerable  loss,  the  enterprise  was  abandoned,  and 
the  troops  were  withdrawn.  By  11  o'clock  the  lines  were 
quiet,  and  nothing  more  was  done  during  the  remainder 
of  the  day. 

The  casualties  of  the  Regiment,  during  the  battles 
around  Spottsylvania,  amounted  to  12  killed,  among 
whom  we're,  as  mentioned.  Captain  Shaw  of  K,  Sergeants 
AVebb  of  D  and  Chamberlain  and  Corporal  Phillips  of  I, 
and  25  wounded.  Besides  these,  1  private  in  A,  1  in  B, 
1  in  D,  and  1  in  H,  died  after  the  battles.  Among  the 
wounded  were  Lieutenant-Colonel  Read,  as  stated,  Lieu 
tenant  Prentiss  of  A,  Corporals  Lawton  and  Nichols  of 
A  and  Brennan  of  G.  Many  a  poor  fellow  who  had 
looked  forward  to  his  return  home,  and  had  counted 
the  days,  found  a  resting-place  for  his  shattered  body 
beneath  the  ensanguined  turf,  while  his  spirit  went  up 
above  the  strife  "unto  God  who  gave  it"! 


252  SECOND    RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.          [May, 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

THE   LAST   TWO   WEEKS. 


fHE  army  had  gradually  worked  its  way  around  to  the 
eastward  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  so  that  by  the 
•  18th  of  May  the  ground  at  first  held  by  its  left  flank 
was  occupied  by  its  right.  General  Grant,  finding  his 
opponent  too  strongly  posted  to  be  dislodged  by  direct 
attack,  decided  to  continue  his  movement  southwardly, 
and  turn  the  position  which  had  been  so  obstinately 
and  successfully  defended.  The  necessary  preparations 
were  nearly  completed,  and  it  was  expected,  that  Han 
cock  would  move  at  dark  on  the  19th  in  the  direction 
of  Bowling  Green.  This  movement  was  meant  to  be  in 
some  sort  an  independent  one  —  the  plan  being  to  attack 
the  enemy,  if  he  should  make  any  attempt  to  pursue. 
But,  as  our  own  right  and  rear  were  attacked,  late  in  the 
afternoon,  by  a  portion  of  Swell's  corps,  which  had 
marched  around  to  the  Fredericksburg  road,  the  order 
was  countermanded.  Fortunately  a  division  of  the 
Second  Corps,  under  General  Tyler,  consisting  of  the 
heavy  artillerists  of  the  Washington  defences,  now  armed 
as  infantry,  was  posted  on  the  road  near  where  Ewell 
made  his  appearance.  These  troops,  although  never 


1864.]  THE   LAST  TWO   WEEKS.  253 

before  under  -fire,  behaved  in  the  handsomest  manner, 
•and  fairly  attacked  the  enemy  with  such  ardor  as  to 
compel  him  to  beat  an  ignominious  retreat.  Early  the 
next  morning  some  troops  from  the  Fifth  and  Sixth 
•Corps  came  down  and  gathered  in  a  number  of  prisoners. 
It  was  decided  to  move  the  whole  army  to  the  North 
Anna,  and  on  the  night  of  the  20th-21st  the  movement 
began  by  the  march  of  Hancock's  corps,  following  an 
advance-guard  of  cavalry,  under  General  Torbert,  to  clear 
the  road.  The  troops  got  upon  the  road  about  midnight, 
and  made  an  excellent  march  through  the  early  morning 
hours  and  the  day,  arriving  at  Bowling  Green  in  the  late 
afternoon  of  the  21st.  The  Fifth  Corps  followed,  then 
the  Sixth,  and  the  Ninth  bringing  up  the  rear. 

There  was  more  or  less  skirmishing  along  the  road, 
but  the  army  made  good  progress,  and  on  the  22nd  the 
line  was  formed  facing  to  the  west,  with  the  Second 
Corps  at  Milford  Station  and  the  Fifth  at  Guinea's 
Station  —  the  other  two  corps  holding  the  interval.  Gen 
eral  Lee  had  also  abandoned  his  position,  and  was  now 
hurrying  to  confront  our  forces  at  the  North  Anna. 
Oeneral  Grant  accordingly  pushed  forward  immediately 
upon  recognizing  the  fact,  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
•23rd  the  command  struck  the  North  Anna  at  three 
points  —  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps  on  the  right,  at 
•Jericho  Mills,  the  Ninth  near  Ox  Ford,  and  the  Second 
near  the  railroad  and  Chesterfield  bridges.  This  march 
•was  very  skillfully  made,  the  only  notable  interruption 
being  an  attack  made  upon  the  Sixth  Corps,  as  it  was 
leaving  the  Spottsylvania  lines,  an  attack  which  was 
easily  repulsed.  The  part  of  Virginia  through  which 
the  army  was  moving  had  been  almost  untouched  by  the 
destructive  hand  of  war.  The  fields  were  green  with  the 
beauty  of  the  opening  summer,  and  rich  with  the  promise 
22 


254:  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.         [May, 

of  abundant  harvests  to  come.  Although  saddened  by 
the  memories  of  recent  struggle,  the  men  could  not  help 
enjoying  the  grateful  contrast  of  these  scenes  of  plenty 
and  peace. 

The  Fifth  Corps  easily  crossed  the  North  Anna. 
Bartlett's  brigade  forded  the  stream,  and  a  ponton  bridge 
was  immediately  laid.  The  remainder  of  the  corps 
crossed,  formed  line  of  battle,  and,  in  the  course  of  the 
afternoon,  had  a  sharp  engagement  with  the  enemy, 
capturing  a  considerable  number  of  prisoners.  Warren 
was  "attacked  with  great  vehemence,"  says  General 
Grant,  in  his  dispatch  from  the  field.  The  Second 
Corps  had  a  much  harder  time  of  it.  Hancock  found 
the  enemy  posted  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  and  was 
obliged  to  force  a  crossing,  suffering  a  loss  of  three 
hundred  men.  But  by  the  night  of  the  23rd  the  Second 
Corps  had  obtained  possession  of  Chesterfield  bridge, 
and  early  the  next  morning  crossed  without  further 
serious  opposition  —  the  Fifth  Corps  having  secured  a 
firm  footing,  and  improving  the  opportunity  to  aid  the 
Second  by  engaging  the  attention  of  the  enemy.  During 
the  evening  the  Sixth  and  Ninth  came  up  and  occupied 
the  north  bank  of  the  river.  On  the  24th  the  Sixth 
crossed  and  took  post  in  the  rear  of  the  Fifth.  The 
Ninth  crossed  at  or  near  Ox  Ford,  in  the  course  of  the 
afternoon,  meeting  with  a  strong  opposition,  but  finally 
succeeding  in  placing  Crittenden's  and  Potter's  divisions 
on  the  south  side. 

But  the  passage  of  the  river  proved  to  be  of  slight 
profit.  At  these  points  the  North  Anna  makes  a  bend  to 
the  south.  General  Lee,  refusing  both  his  flanks,  resting 
his  right  upon  Bull  swamp,  so  called,  and  his  left  upon 
Little  river,  threw  forward  his  centre  toward  Ox  Ford, 
protecting  Hanover  Junction,  and  for  all  practical  pur- 


18G4.]  THE   LAST  TWO   WEEKS.  255 

poses  dividing  our  right  and  left  wings.  The  bend  of 
the  river  and  the  salient  of  the  enemy's  line  approached 
each  other.  The  attack  upon  the  position  would  be  at  a 
disadvantage.  For,  to  reenforce  either  wing,  a  double- 
crossing  of  the  river  would  be  necessary,  while  General 
Lee,  having  short  interior  lines,  could  readily  strengthen 
any  threatened  point.  It  was  useless  to  think  of  assault 
ing  the  strong  central  position.  The  enemy  must  be 
dislodged  by  another  flanking  movement,  and  "  on  to  the 
Pamunkey ! "  was  the  next  word. 

Keconnoissances  on  the  25th  and  26th  confirmed  the 
opinion  of  the  uselessness  of  an  attack,  and  on  the  night 
of  the  26th-27th  the  army  was  again  put  in  motion. 
This  time  the  Sixth  Corps  had  the  advance,  following 
closely  upon  the  cavalry.  The  1st  and  2nd  divisions  of 
the  cavalry  corps  took  possession  of  Hanovertown  at  9 
o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  27th,  and  at  10  o'clock  the 
1st  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  marched  in  —  two  years, 
to  a  day,  since  the  Second  was  at  Hanovertown  with  Fitz- 
John  Porter.  The  departure  was  made  in  silence,  and 
the  march  was  accomplished  with  celerity.  Sheridan's 
entire  cavalry  corps,  a  part  of  which  had  been  off  on  a 
sixteen  days'  raid,  had  now  rejoined  the  army,  and  were 
of  very  important  service  in  facilitating  the  movement. 
Through  the  day  on  the  28th  the  troops  pushed  on  with 
unabated  zeal  and  spirit,  and  by  night  the  entire  army 
had  effected  the  crossing  of  the  Pamunkey.  The  base  of 
supplies,  having  been  changed  successively  from  Belle 
Plain  to  Fredericksburg,  thence  to  Port  Royal,  was  now 
established  at  White  House.  To  the  veterans  of  the 
Peninsular  campaign  the  ground  began  to  look  familiar, 
and  the  men  of  the  Second  Regiment  easily  recognized 
their  old  acquaintances,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Hanover 
Court  House,  Gaines's  Mill  and  Mechanicsville.  On  the 


256  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [June,. 

29th  the  army  moved  slowly  and  carefully  forward,  cover 
ing  the  advance  with  frequent  reconnoissances.  General 
Lee  did  not  see  fit  to  attack,  but  awaited  General  Grant's 
coming  at  Tolopotamoy  creek,  six  miles  further  on, 
covering  Richmond,  and  backed  by  the  Chickahominy. 
On  the  30th  the  disposition  of  the  army  was  as  follows: 
the  Sixth  Corps  on  the  right,  toward  Hanover  Court 
House,  then  the  Second,  the  Ninth,  and  the  Fifth  hold 
ing  the  left.  The  cavalry  guarded  both  flanks.  About, 
noon  the  cavalry  on  the  left  had  a  brisk  engagement,  in 
which  each  side  suffered  a  loss  of  eighty  or  ninety.  Late 
in  the  afternoon  Warren  was  attacked,  but  was  relieved 
by  a  spirited  counter  attack  made  by  Hancock's  corps. 
Hancock  himself  was  attacked  at  midnight,  but  repulsed 
the  enemy  effectually,  capturing  several  hundred  prison 
ers.  Burnside's  2nd  division  had  a  brisk  engagement,, 
with  some  advantage.  Our  lines  were  now  within  eight, 
miles  of  Richmond.  But  true  distance  is  measured  by 
the  character  of  the  obstructions  which  fill  the  way. 
The  presence  of  Lee's  army  was  equivalent  to  a  hundred 
leagues  of  distance.  On  the  31st  the  entire  line  was. 
moved  forward  from  one  to  three-fourths  of  a  mile,  not 
without  opposition.  Several  detached  lines  of  rifle-pits 
were  carried,  and  our  own  troops  were  advanced  close  to 
the  enemy's  line.  On  the  night  of  the  31st  of  May  the 
Sixth  Corps  was  moved  over  from  the  right  to  the  left. 
The  Eighteenth  Corps,  General  W.  F.  Smith,  detached 
from  Butler's  command  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  also 
arrived  in  the  afternoon  of  the  1st  of  June,  and  took  posi 
tion  on  the  left  of  the  Sixth,  whose  officers  were  glad  to- 
welcome  their  old  comrades,  Smith,  Brooks  and  Devens. 
Thus  closed  the  month  of  May  —  altogether  the  most 
arduous  month's  campaigning  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
had  ever  experienced.  Scarcely  a  day  had  passed  without 


1864.]  THE   LAST   TWO   WEEKS.  25? 

fighting,  more  or  less  severe.  The  enemy  was  "  obsti 
nate,"  General  Grant  said.  Every  foot  of  ground  had 
been  disputed,  and  Lee's  serried  ranks  still  stood  un 
broken  before  our  slowly  advancing  columns. 

The  object  of  the  movement  of  the  Sixth  and  Eight 
eenth  Corps  was  preliminary  to  an  attempt  to  force  the 
passage  of  the  Chickahominy.  'The  troops  were  directed 
to  Cold  Harbor  and  beyond,  hoping  to  obtain  a  position 
which  would  ensure  the  passage  of  the  river.  Sheridan 
was  at  Cold  Harbor  on  the  31st  of  May,  but  when  the 
infantry  reached  that  point,  on  the  1st  of  June,  a  large 
body  of  the  enemy  stood  ready  to  confront  them.  In  the 
afternoon  the  Sixth  and  Eighteenth  made  an  attack,  and 
met  with  a  partial  success,  in  capturing  a  line  of  rifle-pits 
and  a  few  hundred  prisoners,  but  suffered  themselves  a, 
loss  of  two  thousand  killed  and  wounded.  Eicketts's 
division  of  the  Sixth  and  Devens's  division  of  the  Eight 
eenth,  being  in  advance,  seemed  to  win  the  chief  honor 
of  the  day,  and  to  suffer  the  greatest  loss,  although  the 
other  troops  were  by  no  means  lacking  in  spirit.  Rus 
sell's  division  also  lost  heavily,  while  charging  gallantly 
with  Eicketts's  command  across  an  open  ploughed  field. 
The  3rd  division  held  what  it  gained,  while  the  1st  was 
obliged  to  retire.  The  new  division  fairly  won  its  spurs 
that  day.  In  front  of  the  other  corps  there  was  fighting, 
more  or  less  severe,  at  intervals  through  the  day,  and  at 
nightfall  the  advantage  rested  with  our  army.  The  result 
was  the  establishment  of  the  line  from  Bethesda  Church 
to  Cold  Harbor.  During  the  night  that  followed  and  the 
next  forenoon,  Hancock  was  moved  down  the  line  to  the 
left,  with  the  intention  of  attacking  on  the  night  of  the 
2nd-3rd.  A  severe  thunder  storm  prevented,  and  the 
attack  was  postponed.  Some  skirmishing  went  on  at 
different  parts  of  the  line,  through  the  day.  Our  cavalry 
22* 


258  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND  VOLUNTEERS.        [Jlllie> 

was  extended  to  the  left  to  the  neighborhood  of  Bottom 
Bridge. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3rd  of  June  our  line  was  formed 
with  Burnside  on  the  right,  then  Warren,  Smith,  Wright, 
and  on  the  left  Hancock,  connecting  with  the  cavalry. 
Woodland,  swamps,  open  fields  and  clearings  lay  along 
the  line.  The  enemy's  Jine  was  partially  sheltered  in  the 
woods,  a  portion  of  it  behind  the  crest  of  a  slight  eleva 
tion.  Four  and  half  o'clock  in  the  morning  was  the 
hour  named  for  the  attack,  and  precisely  at  the  moment 
fire  opened  along  the  whole  line.  The  Second,  Eight 
eenth  and  Sixtli  were  immediately  put  into  the  action. 
Hancock's  storming  parties,  under  Gibbon  and  Barlow, 
made  a  splendid  charge  upon  the  stronghold  of  the 
enemy's  line,  poured  up  the  hill,  swept  the  enemy's  troops, 
from  the  summit,  captured  300  prisoners,  a  line  of  works, 
and  a  flag,  and  for  a  time  dominated  the  position.  But 
the  rebel  forces  quickly  concentrated  upon  them  and 
forced  them  back  for  a  space.  They  retired  about  a 
hundred  and  fifty  feet,  intrenched  themselves  as  well  as. 
they  were  able,  and  held  the  point  through  the  day* 
The  Sixth  and  the  Eighteenth  made  an  equally  gallant 
charge,  and  carried  the  first  line  of  intrenchments  op 
posed  to  them,  but  met  witli  no  better  fortune  in  the  end 
tli an  their  comrades  of  the  Second.  The  best  they  could 
do  was  to  hold  a  line  close  up  to  the  enemy's  works,  and 
there  throw  up  some  hastily  constructed  intrenchments. 
The  Fifth  and  the  Ninth  also  had  some  fighting  to  do, 
and  occasionally  of  a  severe  sort,  but  the  brunt  of  the 
battle  was  mostly  upon  our  left. 

Cannonading  continued  through  the  day,  with  severe 
skirmishing  and  even  hard  fighting,  at  intervals.  Gen 
eral  McKean's  brigade  of  the  Second  Corps,  according  to 
the  contemporary  account,  published  in  the  Army  and 


1804.]  THE   LAST  TWO    WEEKS.  250 

Navy  Journal,  held  a  position  but  fifteen  yards  from  the 
enemy's  line  of  works.  There  the  troops  were  compelled 
to  stay  for  hours,  as  any  movement  in  either  direction 
was  impossible.  They  repulsed  every  attack  made  upon 
them,  and,  after  losing  a  considerable  number,  the  re 
mainder  were  finally  withdrawn  in  safety.  About  & 
o'clock  in  the  evening  the  enemy  made  a  fierce  attack 
upon  our  left,  but  was  driven  back  with  heavy  loss. 
Darkness  alone  put  an  end  to  the  conflict.  It  was-, 
altogether  a  bloody  and  unsatisfactory  day.  For  the  two. 
days  of  fighting  the  loss  to  the  army  was  not  less  than 
13,000  men.  During  the  next  twenty-four  hours  little- 
was  done  besides  intrenching  and  sharp-shooting  by  the- 
skilled  marksmen  of  both  armies.  At  9  o'clock  in  the 
evening  of  the  4th  our  left  was  attacked,  but  without 
any  advantage  to  the  enemy.  It  was  supposed  to  be  a 
reconnoissance,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  exact 
position  of  that  part  of  our  lines.  On  the  5th  the 
desultory  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery  continued,  with 
more  sharp  fighting  in  the  evening  between  Gibbon's, 
division  of  the  Second  and  Russell's  of  the  Sixth  on  one 
side,  and  an  attacking  party  of  the  enemy  on  the  other* 
It  was  probably  a  demonstration  similar  to  that  of  the 
preceding  evening. 

Cold  Harbor  is  described  as  having  been  the  most 
dangerous  place  the  army  had  yet  found.  Sharp-shooters 
were  perched  in  the  trees,  and  not  a  man  on  the  front 
lines  could  show  himself  without  becoming  a  target  for 
rifles  that  rarely  missed  their  aim.  To  leave  cover  was 
to  incur  the  hazard  of  wounds  or  death.  To  go  to  the 
rear  for  water  it  was  necessary  to  betake  one's  self  to> 
hands  and  knees,  and  creep  along  the  trenches  in  secrecy 
and  silence.  Both  officers  and  men  were  obliged  to» 
burrow,  for  headquarters  were  under  fire  more  than  once, 


2GO  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND.- VOLUNTEERS.       [Juno, 

and  the  rebel  muskets  had  a  long  range.  It  appeared  as 
though  the  enemy,  having  at  last  found,  that  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  was  determined  to  push  him  back,  grew 
more  spiteful,  as  the  pressure  became  more  persistent. 
Lee  also  found,  that  Grant  had  no  intention  of  retreating, 
whatever  might  be  the  result  of  the  fighting.  The  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  notwithstanding  its  losses,  tremendous 
as  they  were,  still  kept  on.  This  was  the  patent  fact, 
and  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  did  not  like  it.  Lee 
discovered,  that  his  positions  could  be  turned,  if  they 
could  not  be  forced,  and  every  turning  movement  com 
pelled  him  to  approach  the  defences  of  Richmond.  Wash 
ington  was  afar  off  now,  and  there  were  no  more  invasions 
in  prospect.  Lee  and  his  army  and  the  Richmond  gov 
ernment  were  angry,  and  they  had  good  cause  for  it. 

The  Regiment  suffered  a  loss  of  two  killed  at  Cold 
Harbor.  The  operations  thus  far  had  been  upon  so  great 
a  scale  as  to  leave  but  little  to  be  said  of  the  deeds  of  a 
single  regiment.  The  movements  were  by  divisions  and 
corps.  In  former  battles  a  few  regiments  were  conspicu 
ous.  But  in  these  the  smaller  bodies  were  lost  in  the 
mass.  There  were  also  so  many  instances  of  individual 
valor  as  to  render  any  comparisons  invidious.  Indeed 
there  was  a  species  of  hand  to  hand  fighting  almost 
unknown  before.  In  this,  as  in  the  more  elaborate  and 
massive  operations,  the  fine  qualities  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  were  daily  becoming  more  manifest.  Fighting 
out  its  battles,  it  was  proving  of  what  splendid  stuff  it 
was  composed. 

The  last  night  in  camp  had  come  to  the  Second.  A 
nucleus  was  to  be  left  for  reorganization.  But  the  rest 
were  soon  to  start  for  home.  It  was  the  4th  of  June. 
There  were  the  farewell  talks  among  the  old  messmates, 
the  messages  for  friends  in  Rhode  Island,  the  words  of 


18G4.]  THE   LAST  TWO   WEEKS.  261 

encouragement  to  those  who  were  to  remain.  There  was 
no  time  for  writing  letters,  and  that  which  was  said 
might  at  any  moment  he  interrupted  by  a  rehel  shell  or 
bullet.  "Good  luck  to  you,  comrade!"  "A  pleasant 
journey  home.  You  will  see  us  again  after  we  have 
taken  Richmond!"  And  so  they  parted  —  some  turning 
their  faces  joyfully  to  friends  and  kindred,  the  others  to> 
the  stern  realities  of  duty  yet  to  be  performed  and  the- 
angry  features  of  the  foe! 


262  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [June, 


CHAPTER    XIX 

THE   RETURN   HOME. 


fT  was  three  years  from  the  day  on  which  the  Kegiment 
was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  at 
1  Providence.  It  had  done  its  duty  faithfully  and  well. 
Of  the  eight  hundred  men  and  more,  who  had  gone  out 
to  the  war  in  June,.  1861,  a  little  more  than  one-fourth 
marched  from  the  lines  at  Cold  Harbor  on  the  morning 
of  the  5th  of  June,  1864.  One-tenth  of  the  original 
members  remained  in  the  field.  Of  the  rest,  some  had 
been  discharged,  broken  by  disease  and  wounds;  some 
had  died  in  the  Southern  prisons,  in  the  hospitals,  or  at 
home;  some  had  been  killed  in  action,  and  buried  where 
they  fell;  some  had  been  laid  away  to  rest  amid  the  tears 
and  prayers  of  friends  and  kindred.  The  list  of  casual 
ties  numbers  66  killed  in  battle,  6  died  in  prison,  15  died 
of  wounds,  46  of  disease,  250  wounded,  and  51  prisoners 
of  war.  Major  Jencks  led  home  the  remnant — "who 
had  no  cause  to  blush  that  they  had  survived  the  battle." 
Their  departure  from  the  lines  was  the  occasion  of  many 
a  friendly  and  favorable  comment  from  the  army  corre 
spondents  of  the  leading  journals  of  the  country.  Said 
Mr.  Coffin  of  the  Boston  Journal  —  and  this  well  expresses 


1864.]  THE   RETURN   HOME.  263 

the  spirit  of  all —  "they  have  done  their  duties  faithfully, 
and  from  first  to  last,  on  every  field  where  they  have  met 
the  foe,  they  have  always  sustained  the  honor  of  the  state 
which  sent  them  forth."  The  worth  of  the  Regiment 
was  fully  recognized,  and  its  fidelity  and  patriotism  were 
duly  appreciated.  It  deserved  the  commendations  which 
it  received,  and  it  had  fairly  earned  its  rest  from  toil  and 
conflict. 

The  officers  in  command  were  equally  ready  with 
words  of  generous  approval.  Colonel  Edwards,  com 
manding  the  brigade,  wrote  a  cordial  letter  to  Major 
Jencks,  dated  the  5th  of  June.  "  In  taking  leave  of  your 
command  to-day,"  said  the  colonel,  "permit  me  to  thank 
you,  the  officers  and  men  of  your  command,  for  the  gal 
lantry  and  bravery  they  have  exhibited  in  the  battles  of 
the  present  campaign.  The  Second  Rhode  Island  Volun 
teers  have  lost  men,  killed  and  wounded,  up  to  the  last  hour 
of  their  term  of  service,  and  have  performed  cheerfully 
all  that  I  have  asked  of  them.  In  the  terrible  battle  of 
the  12th  of  May,  in  the  angle  of  the  enemy's  works,  their 
fighting  was  magnificent.  There  the  Regiment  and  the 
brigade  met  with  a  severe  loss  in  the  death  of  Captain 
Shaw,  who  died  fighting  gloriously.  I  trust,  that  you 
will  not  be  lost  to  the  service,  but  that  you  will  soon 
return,  with  such  increased  rank  as  you  have  most  nobly 
earned.  Again  let  me  thank  you,  and  wish  you  and  your 
Regiment  all  future  prosperity." 

General  Xeill,  in  command  of  the  division,  issued  on 
the  same  date  a  complimentary  order.  "  The  term  of 
service  of  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Regiment  having 
expired,"  recites  the  order,  "the  general  commanding 
•  the  division  desires  in  parting  with  them  to  express  his 
appreciation  of  their  conduct  during  the  time  they  have 
been  under  his  command.  He  takes  especial  pleasure  in 


264  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [JllUO, 

referring  to  their  gallantry  in  the  action  of  May  12th, 
when  the  Regiment,  in  conjunction  with  the  rest  of  the 
4th  brigade,  sustained  and  delivered  for  nearly  twenty- 
four  hours  a  continued  fire  of  musketry,  and  repulsed 
the  repeated  attacks  of  tAvo  corps  of  the  rebel  army. 
The  general  commanding  assures  the  Second  Rhode 
Island,  that  he  parts  with  them  with  feelings  of  respect 
and  regret,  and  hopes,  that  the  spirit  they  have  displayed 
while  under  his  command  may  continue  to  animate  their 
•comrades  who  remain." 

Thus,  with  the  hearty  and  commending  words  and  the 
kind  wishes  of  the  officers  under  whom  it  had  served,  the 
Jlegiment  marched  to  the  rear.  It  went  directly  to 
White  House,  and  there  took  transport  for  Alexandria. 
It  left  Washington  on  the  8th,  and  arrived  in  Providence 
late  in  the  evening  of  the  10th.  Colonel  Read,  with  the 
Burnside  Zouaves,  Colonel  Paine,  for  escort,  met  the 
Regiment  at  New  London,  and  there  took  command. 
Upon  the  arrival  of  the  men  in  Providence  they  were 
quartered  in  Railroad  Hall.  Extensive  and  elaborate 
arrangements  had  been  made  to  receive  the  Regiment  in 
which  the  state  had  taken  pride  from  the  beginning,  for 
the  high  reputation  its  members  had  won  for  themselves 
iind  their  fellow  citizens.  The  entire  division  of  the 
state  militia  was  ordered  out  for  escort  duty.  Various 
reports  respecting  the  movements  of  the  Regiment  had 
reached  the  town  for  a  week  previously,  and  it  was 
•expected,  that  the  reception  would  take  place  on  the  10th. 
One  or  two  companies  from  a  distance  came  up  and  spent 
the  night  in  Providence.  Every  preparation,  which  patri 
otism  and  a  grateful  admiration  could  suggest,  was  made 
to  give  the  war-bronzed  veterans  a  hearty  welcome  home 
from  danger  and  strife. 

The  llth  dawned  brightly,  a  genial  and  invigorating 


1864.]  THE    RETURN   HOME.  265 

breeze  tempering  the  heat  of  the  early  summer's  sun. 
The  city  of  Providence  was  thronged  with  people  from 
every  part  of  the  state.  Flags  were  flying  from  every 
available  place  —  from  private  residences,  from  the  pub 
lic  buildings,  from  the  steeples  of  the  churches.  Mayor 
Doyle  had  suggested  the  closing  of  shops  and  places  of 
business,  and  at  11  o'clock  the  city  wore  its  brightest 
holiday  aspect.  The  escort,  under  the  command  of 
General  Olney  Arnold,  was  composed  of  fifteen  companies 
of  infantry  —  961  men,  besides  officers;  one  company  of 
United  States  Reserve  Corps,  60  men;  two  batteries  of 
artillery,  ten  guns,  165  men,  and  two  troops  of  cavalry, 
155  men.  Four  bands  of  music  enlivened  the  parade 
with  stirring  strains.  The  command  was  divided  into 
two  brigades,  respectively  under  command  of  Generals 
J.  P.  Balch  and  W.  T.  Barton,  and  under  their  direction 
the  long  and  glittering  column  marched  through  the 
principal  streets,  making  a  military  display  unequalled  in 
the  previous  experience  of  the  Rhode  Island  militia. 

All  along  the  route  the  Regiment  was  received  with 
the  liveliest  expressions  of  interest  and  approval.  Shouts 
of  welcome  greeted  its  appearance  at  every  point.  The 
soldiers  and  officers  were  covered  with  flowers,  and  every 
musket  bore  a  bouquet  in  its  muzzle.  Silent  and  tearful 
faces,  in  the  multitudes  that  crowded  the  streets,  showed, 
that  a  profound  sorrow  mingled  with  the  joy  of  the 
reception.  There  were  many  vacant  places  in  the  ranks. 
The  Regiment  numbered  nearly  300  officers  and  men. 
The  storm  of  battle,  disease  and  wounds  had  made  sad 
havoc  among  the  strong,  stalwart  men,  who  had  left 
Providence  on  the  19th  of  June,  1861.  The  tattered  and 
begrimed  flags  bore  witness  to  the  fierceness  of  the  con 
tests,  above  whose  bloody  lines  they  had  waved,  always 
without  dishonor.  The  firm  tread  of  the  men,  as  they 
23 


2-GG  SECOND    RHODE    ISLAND    VOLUNTEERS.        [June, 

imirchcd  over  the  pavements,  was  of  those  who  had  stood 
unyielding  in  the  array  of  battle.  The  mind  of  the 
spectator  went  back  to  Bull  Hun,  the  Peninsula,  Antie- 
tam,  Fredericksburg,  Salem  Heights,  Gettysburg,  and 
the  last  terrible  campaign,  and  thought  of  the  "  unreturn- 
ing  brave,"  whose  dust  had  mingled  with  the  now  sacred 
soil  of  Virginia.  The  voice  choked  with  emotion,  even 
while  the  lips  were  formed  into  huzzas  of  cheerful  greet 
ing. 

Howard  Hall  had  been  profusely  decorated  with  flags, 
banners,  inscriptions  and  flowers,  and  the  long  tables 
were  covered  with  a  generous  and  elegant  entertainment. 
When  the  regimental  flags  were  brought  in  and  placed 
upon  the  platform,  the  irrepressible  enthusiasm  of  the 
assembled  company  burst  forth  in  unrestrained  cheering. 
Upon  marching  into  the  hall  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
Regiment  ranged  themselves  along  the  table,  and  before 
taking  seats  the  formal  exercises  of  the  reception  took 
place. 

Governor  James  Y.  Smith  addressed  the  Regiment  as 
follows: 

"  Fellow  citizens,  officers  and  men  of  the  Second  Rhode 
Island:  I  esteem  it  an  especial  privilege  to  be  allowed  to 
welcome  you  and  extend  to  you  the  hospitalities  of  Rhode 
Island.  Your  Regiment  is  the  iirst  to  return  from  the 
three  years'  service,  and  we  thank  you  in  the  name  of  the 
country  for  the  noble  defence  of  our  government  on  the 
Held  of  battle.  We  sympathize  deeply  with  you,  for  those 
who  have  fallen  and  those  you  have  left  behind  you, 
beneath  the  turf  of  your  enemies'  country.  Once  again 
I  extend  to  you  the  hospitalities  of  Rhode  Island.'' 

The  governor,  on  closing  his  address,  introduced  Col 
onel  Rogers,  then  attorney-general  of  the  state,  who 
spoke  in  terms  of  hearty  greeting. 


1804.]  THE   RETURN   HOME. 

"  Colonel  Read,  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  gallant 
Second:  The  whole  state  of  Rhode  Island,  from  the 
governor  to  the  humblest  citizen,  welcomes  yon  home 
and  showers  blessings  on  your  heads.  The  whole  state 
looks  at  you  with  pride  and  admiration,  and  will  delight 
to  honor  you.  The  record  of  your  noble  deeds  will  form 
one  of  the  brightest  chapters  in  the  history  of  Rhode 
Island. 

"The  dear  old  tattered  flag,  never  once  disgraced,  and 
wreathed  all  round  with  glory,  will  be  sacredly  preserved 
and  carefully  handed  down  to  posterity,  who  will  gaze 
upon  it  and  tell  the  story  of  your  deeds,  as  they  will  that 
of  your  revolutionary  fathers.  I  can  vouch  for  your 
heroism.  I  have  seen  you  press  gallantly  forward  when 
others  shrank  back  appalled.  I  have  seen  you  stand  firm 
as  the  granite  hills  when  others  broke  and  ran.  I  am 
proud,  that  I  once  had  the  honor  of  commanding  you. 
I  rejoice,  that  my  name,  in  some  of  your  fights  at  least, 
will  be  inseparably  linked  with  yours.  You  have  served 
long  and  faithfully.  Among  the  first  to  respond  to  your 
country's  call,  you  have  done  all  that  men  could  do,  and, 
in  our  hour  of  triumph,  when  Bull  Run,  Fair  Oaks, 
Salem  Heights,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Wilderness 
and  Spottsylvania  are  thought  of,  you  will  be  remem 
bered  with  gratitude  and  admiration. 

"But  there  are  many,  alas!  too  many,  of  your  brave 
comrades  who  have  fallen.  The  names  of  Slocum,  Ballon, 
Tower,  and  hundreds  of  others  of  every  grade,  will  ever  be 
held  in  grateful  and  affectionate  remembrance,  and  the 
bereaved  and  afflicted  will  never  lack  for  sympathy  for 
your  illustrious  dead.  Having  served  out  your  time,  you 
have  now  come  home  to  settle  down  into  civil  life.  May 
you  make  as  good  citizens  as  you  have  soldiers,  and  your 
future  will  be  as  brilliant  as  your  past  has  been  glorious.'* 


2G8  SECOND   KHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [June, 

Colonel  Kead  responded  to  the  address   of  welcome: 

"In  behalf  of  my  command  I  extend  to  your  excel 
lency,  to  Colonel  Rogers,  and  to  our  fellow  citizens,  their 
warmest  thanks  for  your  kind  and  generous  reception  on 
their  return  to  their  homes.  We  shall  ever  cherish  the- 
kindliest  emotions  toward  those  who  have  bid  us  welcome, 
for  your  approval  of  our  conduct  while  in  the  field,  and 
your  attentions  to  us  on  our  return  to  the  peaceful  pur 
suits  of,  life.  Although  we  have  not  been  permitted  to 
return  with  rejoicings  over  a  rebellion  crushed,  yet  we 
are  possessed  of  unshaken  confidence,  that  General  Grant 
and  the  noble  army  that  is  with  him  will  accomplish  all 
that  can  be  hoped  for. 

"  I  regret,  that  I  am  not  able  to  state,  that  all  who  left 
our  state  with  us,  three  years  ago,  are  with  us  now. 
Very  many  have  died  upon  the  battlefield,  and  they  died 
nobly  in  their  country's  cause.  Many  have  died  from 
diseases  incident  to  the  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life,  none- 
the  less  honored  than  those  who  met  death  at  the  hands 
of  the  foe.  Let  us  ever  cherish  their  memory,  not  only 
for  what  they  were  to  us,  not  only  for  what  we  knew 
them  to  be  in  the  peaceful  avocations  of  life,  but  for  their 
self-sacrificing  spirit  in  their  country's  trying  hour,  for 
the  bravery  they  have  exhibited,  and  for  the  ardent, 
courage  they  have  shown  on  many  a  well-fought  field. 

"  I  beg  to  be'excused  from  making  any  further  remarks. 
I  do  not  wish  to  detain  my  men  from  the  society  of  their 
friends,  who  stand  ready  to  meet  them." 

The  addresses  of  welcome  and  Colonel  Read's  response- 
were  received  with  warm  and  enthusiastic  expressions  of 
approbation.  The  Reverend  Dr.  Leonard  Swain  of  Provi 
dence  then  fervently  invoked  the  divine  blessing,  and 
the  Regiment  and  invited  guests  sat  down  to  the  well 
furnished  tables.  An  hour  or  two  was  very  pleasantly 


18G4.]  THE    RETURX   HOME.  2GO 

spent  in  friendly  greetings  and  the  interchange  of  kindly, 
social  converse.  The  Regiment  was  then  dismissed  for  a 
few  days,  for  the  preparation  of  the  necessary  papers  for 
mustering  out.  The  several  companies  dispersed  for  the 
time  to  their  homes.  Company  E  went  down  to  South 
Kingstown  and  neighborhood;  F  to  Pawtucket;  G  to 
Bristol  and  Warren;  H  to  East  Greenwich  and  vicinity; 
I  to  Woonsocket,  and  K  to  Newport.  Receptions,  more 
or  less  public,  were  given  to  the  returning  soldiers,  and 
the  people  of  the  state  vied  with  each  other  in  expressions 
of  gratitude  and  welcome. 

At  Woonsocket  Company  I  was  received  on  the  after 
noon  of  the  llth  by  a  military  escort,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Colonel  E.  M.  Jencks,  a  procession,  of  which 
General  L.  C.  Tourtellot  was  chief  marshal,  and  a  public 
meeting  in  Harris  Hall,  over  which  Hon.  La-timer  W. 

O  7 

Ballon,  presided.  Rev.  John  Boyden  offered  prayer  and 
S.  B.  Bartholomew,  Esq.,  made  an  address  of  welcome- 
Captain  Waterhouse  made  a  modest  and  suitable  reply,, 
and  the  day  closed  with  a  bountiful  collation  in  Armory 
Hall.  At  Pawtucket  Company  F  was  hospitably  enter 
tained  on  the  16th  by  Colonel  Jacob  Dunnell,  who,  with 
characteristic  liberality,  threw  open  his  house  and  his 
beautiful  and  spacious  grounds  to  the  men,  and  gave 
them  an  afternoon  and  evening  of  thorough  enjoyment. 
The  members  of  the  company  were  introduced  to  their 
host  by  General  Barton,  in  a  few  fitting  words,  to  which 
Colonel  Dunnell  made  an  appropriate  and  cordial  response. 
A  clambake  and  a  profuse  and  elegant  collation  were 
provided,  and  the  festivities  were  brought  to  an  end  with 
a  display  of  fireworks.  Among  the  guests  were  Governor 
Smith,  General  Olney  Arnold,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jencks, 
Rev.  Dr.  Taft,  Mr.  John  C.  Tower,  father  of  Captain 
Tower,  and  other  gentlemen.  Captain  Sears  was  present 
23* 


270  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [June,. 

with  his  company,  and  gracefully  acknowledged  Colonel 
Dunnell's  courtesy.  After  the  entertainment  the  men 
proceeded  to  Armory  Hall,  where  Captain  Sears  presented 
to  Mr.  Tower  the  flag  which,  at  the  beginning  of  the- 
war,  had  been  given  to  the  company  by  Mrs.  David 
Fales,  and  had  been  in  the  custody  of  General  Arnold. 
Addresses  were  made  by  Captain  Sears,  Mr.  Tower  and 
General  Barton,  with  touching  and  tender  allusions  to- 
the  comrades  who  had  fallen  during  the  strife.  It  may 
not  be  improper  to  state,  in  connection  with  the  return 
of  the  Regiment,  that  Battery  A,  under  the  command  of 
Captain  W.  A.  Arnold,  also  came  home,  but  not  in  time- 
to  participate  in  the  exercises  of  the  llth.  It  arrived  at 
Providence  on  the  13th,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  15th 
a  complimentary  supper  was  given  to  the  officers  and 
men  at  the  City  hotel,  by  Colonel  Reynolds  and  a  few 
other  gentlemen  and  friends  of  the  battery.  Mayor 
Doyle  made  the  address  of  welcome,  to  which  Captain 
Arnold  responded.  Addresses  were  made  by  Lieutenant- 
Governor  Padelford,  Colonel  Reynolds,  General  Balch 
and  others,  and  the  evening  was  passed  in  a  very  enjoy- 
able  manner. 

The  following  appointments,  promotions  and  changes- 
are  recorded  during  the  period  covered  by  the  last  few 
chapters:  June  Gth,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Read  promoted 
to  colonel;  9th,  Major  Jencks  to  lieutenant-colonel  and 
Captain  S.  H.  Brown  of  D  to  major;  May  5th,  Adjutant 
Rhodes  to  captain  of  E  and  Second  Lieutenant  T.  J. 
Smith  to  adjutant;  February  12th,  Second  Lieutenant 
S.  B.  Russell  of  B  to  first  lieutenant  of  I;  March  1st,, 
First  Lieutenant  West  of  I  transferred  to  F;  April  4th,. 
Sergeant  Warren  Ralph  of  A  discharged  to  accept  a 
commission  of  first  lieutenant  in  the  Fourteenth  Rhode 
Island  Heavy  Artillery;  9th,  private  George  T.  Reining- 


1864.]  •          THE   RETURN   HOME.  271 

ton  of  C  discharged  to  accept  a  commission  of  second 
lieutenant  in  the  Third  Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery; 
llth,  private  Charles  D.  Hammett  of  D  discharged  to- 
accept  a  commission  of  second  lieutenant  in  the  Third 
Rhode  Island  Cavalry;  28th,  Corporal  G.  A.  Pearce  of  F 
discharged  to  accept  a  commission  of  first  lieutenant  in 
the  Fourteenth  Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery;  no  date,, 
private  J.  R.  Loper  of  I  appointed  hospital  steward; 
January  13th,  Sergeant  Jencks  of  F  promoted  to  first 
sergeant;  14th,  Corporal  Luke  Kelly  of  B  to  sergeant, 
and  private  Charles  Stuart  to  corporal;  15th,  Sergeant 
Howarth  of  B,  and,  25th,  Corporal  J.  G.  Skinner  of  H,. 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps;  February  23rd,, 
private  Charles  Duke  of  H  promoted  to  corporal;  April 
4th,  Corporal  Nathan  A.  Sisson  of  A  to  sergeant;  7th,. 
Corporal  Tanner  of  A  appointed  on  color-guard;  13th,. 
private  J.  H.  Phillips  of  F  promoted  to  corporal;  22nd,. 
private  Michael  Collins  of  C  to  corporal.  During  the- 
last  year  of  service  8  non-commissioned  officers  and  38 
men  were  transferred  to  the  veteran  reserve  corps.  At 
different  times,  during  the  three  years'  service,  16  were 
transferred  to  the  United  States  navy,  of  whom  Corporal 
Ferguson  of  D  received  an  appointment  as  first  assistant 
engineer,  3  to  the  United  States  army,  and  24  to  the 
First  Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery.  Besides  those  who? 
remained  in  the  trenches,  and  those  who  have  been 
mentioned  as  entering  into  other  branches  of  the  service, 
it  is  still  to  be  noted,  that  one  or  two  others  returned  to- 
the  contest.  Chaplain  Beugless,  soon  after  he  was  mus 
tered  out,  was  appointed  chaplain  in  the  navy  of  the 
United  States.  Private  James  A.  Wade  of  D  was  on  the- 
24th  of  June  appointed  second  lieutenant  in  the  Third 
Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  but  for  some  reason  was  not 
discharged  for  promotion,  lie  was  transferred  to  the 


272  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [June, 

new  organization,  as  a  private  in  Company  B.  It  is  also 
to  be  noted,  that,  besides  those  already  mentioned  as 
having  reentered  the  service,  the  following-named  officers 
received  commissions  in  other  regiments:  Captain  C. 
W.  Turner,  who  resigned,  November  28th,  1861,  ap 
pointed  first  lieutenant,  Second  Rhode  Island  Cavalry, 
January  24th,  1863,  and,  after  being  mustered  out, 
August  24th,  first  lieutenant,  Third  Cavalry,  March 
30th,  1864;  First  Lieutenant  L.  H.  Bowen,  who  resigned, 
July  18th,  1862,  appointed  first  lieutenant,  Fifth  Rhode 
Island  Heavy  Artillery,  August  4th,  1863,  and  captain, 
February  27th,  1865;  Second  Lieutenant  J.  S.  Man 
chester,  who  resigned,  December  llth,  1861,  appointed 
second  lieutenant,  Seventh  Rhode  Island  Volunteers, 
January  7th,  1863,  first  lieutenant,  March  1st,  and 
resigned,  July  26th,  1864.  Ariel  I.  Cummings  was 
appointed  assistant  surgeon  in  the  Second,  August  8th, 
1862,  but  was  not  mustered  into  the  service. 

On  the  17th  the  Regiment,  to  the  number  of  24  officers 
and  264  rank  and  file,  was  mustered  out  by  Lieutenant 
Whitside  of  the  regular  army,  the  United  States  muster 
ing  officer  at  Providence,  and  the  officers  and  men, 
taking  off  the  uniforms  they  had  honored,  returned 
to  the  pursuits  of  civil  life.  On  the  1st  of  August 
16  men  were  mustered  out,  and  thus  the  Regiment 
passed  into  the  history  of  the  state.  The  Providence 
Journal  of  the  10th  contained  an  appreciative  article, 
one  or  two  extracts  from  which  may  fitly  close  this  part 
of  the  narrative. 

"To-day  we  welcome  home  the  brave  men  of  the 
Second  Regiment.  It  seems  hardly  possible,  that  three 
years  have  elapsed  since,  on  that  pleasant  June  day,  we 
saw  this  noble  Regiment  with  full  ranks  march  through 
our  streets.  We  can  scarcely  realize,  that  then  for  the 


18C4.]  THE   RETURN   HOME.  27$ 

last  time  we  looked  on  Slocum,  Ballon  and  Tower,  and 
so  many  other  gallant  men,  who  never  again  returned. 
But,  when  we  pause  for  a  moment  and  remember  in  how 
many  a  hard-fought  field  this  Regiment  has  won  imper 
ishable  honor  for  our  state,  when  we  think  what  a  history 
it  has  made,  and,  above  all,  when  we  gaze  upon  its- 
thinned  ranks,  and  see  how  few  of  the  brave  fellows  who 
went  forth  so  proudly  and  patriotically  now  remain,  we- 
no  longer  doubt,  that  three  years  have  sped  away  —  years 
which  these  soldiers  have  crowded  with  valorous  deeds. 

"Several  men  in  the  Regiment,  it  will  be  remembered,, 
reenlisted,  and  do  not  return  to-day.  They  and  the  new 
recruits  remain  in  the  field,  retaining  a  battalion  organi- 
zation,  and  bearing  the  honored  name  of  the  Second 
Regiment.  Let  us  not  forget  them,  as  we  pay  honors  to 
their  comrades  whom  we  have  the  pleasure  of  greeting 
now.  Captain  Young,  we  are  informed,  is  the  senior 
captain,  and  will  have  command  of  the  battalion,  if  ho 
leaves  the  staff  service  in  which  he  is  engaged.  If  he 
does  not,  Adjutant  Rhodes  will  be  the  senior  officer. 

"We  give  to-day  such  expression  as  we  can  to  the 
respect  we  feel  for  the  returning  heroes.  We  pay  such 
tribute  as  we  can  to  the  memory  of  the  dead,  who  have 
fallen  by  their  side  in  the  deadly  conflict.  But  how 
inadequate  is  that  expression,  how  poor  are  these  tributes  I. 
What  words,  what  praises,  what  banquets,  what  badges,, 
what  medals,  what  wreaths  of  laurel  or  of  oak,  can  avail 
to  repay  these  men  for  what  they  have  done,  or  even  to 
communicate  to  them  our  appreciation  of  their  services  T 
But  it  is  not  for  our  laudations  and  applause  that  they 
have  endured  hunger  and  toil,  and  storm  and  heat,  and 
the  weary  march,  and  wounds  and  rebel  prisons.  It  is-. 
not  for  fame  that  so  many  of  them  have  faced  the  foe,, 
until  the  hostile  bullet  laid  them  low.  Xo!  if  is  for  the- 


274  SECOND   RHODE   ISLAND   VOLUNTEERS.        [June. 

nation  that  they  have  made  these  sacrifices  so  cheerfully. 
It  is  that  we  might  have  peace  that  they  have  fought. 
It  is  that  we  might  live  and  that  the  nation  might  live 
that  so  many  have  died.  It  is  in  our  final  success  and  in 
the  approval  of  heaven,  that  they  will  find  their  only 
fitting  reward.  God  grant,  that  the  day  may  soon  come 
when  peace  founded  on  righteousness  shall  be  restored, 
and  when  the  last  of  our  brave  soldiers  shall  return  to 
enjoy  his  quiet  home  and  pursue  his  wonted  avocations, 
while  the  nation,  in  harmony  and  concord,  goes  on  in  a 
career  of  unexampled  prosperity  and  happiness!" 


PART    II. 


mv 


m  fiTiiiis. 

CHAPTER    I. 

THE     REORGANIZATION. 


ytl[IIE  officers  and  men  of  the  Second,  who  remained  in 
*"  the  field  for  further  service,  had  an  honorable  pride  in 
^  retaining  the  name  by  which  they  had  been  known 
through  the  hardships  and  dangers  of  the  war.  It  had 
been  endeared  to  them  by  the  sufferings  and  sacrifices  of 
the  past  three  years.  Governor  Smith  and  the  state 
authorities  recognized  the  worthiness  of  the  sentiment. 
The  old  Second  survived  in  the  "detachment"  that  still 
held  the  trenches,  when  their  comrades  marched  out  on 
the  morning  of  the  5th  of  June.  The  battle-worn  flags 
were  carried  home,  but  it  was  hoped,  that  a  new  set  of 
colors  would  soon  be  procured,  bearing  the  familiar 
inscription  under  which  the  Second  had  so  well  served 

24 


278  THE   VETERANS.  [June, 

the  state.  The  executive  at  once  put  in  train  the  neces 
sary  measures  for  filling  up  the  ranks  and  completing  the 
organization.  Meanwhile,  by  favor  of  the  authorities, 
the  command  was  allowed  to  remain  intact,  under  the 
direction  of  its  own  officers,  and  to  retain  its  independent 
name. 

Captain  Henry  H.  Young  of  Company  B  was  the  senior 
officer,  and  upon  him  would  devolve  the  command  of  the 
detachment.     But  Captain  Young  was  at  this  time  absent 
upon  staff  duty,  which  he  preferred.     He  had  thus  been 
engaged   for   a   considerable   time,    and   was  just  now 
inspector-general  of  the  4th  brigade  of  the  2nd  division. 
The  command  accordingly  fell  to  Captain  Rhodes,  who, 
as  already  mentioned,  had  been  promoted  from  adjutant, 
upon   the   cordial  recommendation  of   the  brigade  and 
division  commanders.     The  commissioned  officers  at  the 
time  were  Captains  Young  and  Ehodes,  First  Lieutenants 
Samuel  B.  Russell  and  E.  F.  Prentiss,  Second  Lieutenant 
T.  J.  Smith,  and  Assistant  Surgeon  W.  F.  Smith.     Lieu 
tenant  Prentiss  was  in  hospital,  badly  wounded.     The 
non-commissioned  staff  was  composed  of  Sergeant-Major 
George   T.  Easterbrook,    acting   as   adjutant,    Quarter 
master-Sergeant  Robert  W.  Small,  Commissary-Sergeant 
George  H.    Chenery,  and   Hospital  Steward  Jarvis  R. 
Loper.     The  command  was  divided  into  three  companies, 
A,  B,  and  C.     The  names  of  the  warrant  officers  were  as 
follows:     First  Sergeants  Charles  W.  Gleason,  Charles  E. 
Perkins,  and  David  Small;  Sergeants  Robert  Robertson, 
Jr.,  John  Lawrence,  Frank  S.  llalliday,  Horace  T.  Viall, 
William   H.  Perry,   Joseph   M.  Wood,    Benoni   Sweet, 
William   J.    Babcock,  Peter   Whalen,    and  Stephen  A. 
Bates;  Corporals  Warren  C.  Lawton,  Andrew  J.  Aldrich, 
James  McKay,  Patrick  Campbell,  William  H.  Bullock, 
Charles  Stewart,  Lindsay  Anderson,  Benjamin  Blackmail, 


1864.]  THE   REORGANIZATION.  279 

Edwin  D.  Kellogg,  Silas  W.  Watson,  James  B.  Wright, 
Elisha  J.  Whitford,  Jason  P.  Rathbun,  Thomas  Bren- 
nan,  John  McCaffrey,  Jotham  Waterman,  Thomas  E. 
Jones,  Cliarles  W.  Hathaway,  James  Moffitt,  Gustavo  A. 
Perseche,  Elisha  Arnold,  Robert  Binns,  James  A.  King, 
Jeremiah  Tourjee,  Oassander  Kingman,  John  R.  Wil 
liams,  Job  Tanner,  and  John  G.  Grinnell.  Of  these 
Sergeant  Halliday  and  Corporals  Lawton,  Aldrich,  Bren- 
nan,  Binns,  Kingman  and  Tanner  were  in  hospital, 
wounded,  and  Corporal  Williams  was  absent  on  duty  at 
the  conscript  camp  in  Connecticut.  Corporal  Tanner 
died  of  his  wounds  on  the  16th  of  July.  Besides  these 
were  1  wagoner  and  6  musicians.  The  whole  number  of 
enlisted  men  was  267,  and  the  aggregate  of  the  command 
was  thus  325  officers  and  men.  Of  these  88  were  absent 
on  special  duty,  sick,  wounded,  missing,  and  in  hospital. 
The  very  small  number  of  commissioned  officers  would 
naturally  at  first  cause  some  embarrassment,  but  the 
sergeants  were  all  tried  men,  and  sufficiently  familiar 
with  their  duty.  Governor  Smith  was  earnest  in  his 
wisli  to  continue  the  Second  in  existence.  Writing  to 
Captain  Rhodes,  on  the  16th  of  July,  he  says:  "I 
particularly  desire,  that  your  Regiment  should  retain  a 
distinct  and  separate,  if  only  a  battalion  organization. 
You  will  do  every  thing  in  your  power  to  accomplish  this 
result."  At  the  same  time,  Second  Lieutenant  Smith 
was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  and  Sergeant-Major 
Easterbrook  and  Sergeant  Gleason  were  promoted  to 
second  lieutenant.  These  appointments  gave  Captain 
Rhodes  a  considerable  assistance  in  the  command  of  the 
detachment.  Lieutenant  Smith  was  made  adjutant  and 
brevetted  captain,  August  1st,  and  Lieutenants  Easter- 
brook  and  Gleason  were  in  due  time  promoted  another 
grade.  The  detachment  was  gradually  increased  by  the 


280  THE   VETERANS.  [June, 

addition  of  recruits  to  eight  companies,  and  it  is  to  the 
fortunes  of  this  force  that  the  attention  of  the  reader  is 
now  invited. 

The  issue  of  the  fighting  at  Cold  Harbor  and  in  its 
neighborhood  was  not  encouraging  to  the  success  of 
operations  on  the  north  side  of  Richmond.  For  the  next 
few  days  the  army  was  occupied  in  intrenching  its  posi 
tion,  burying  the  dead  and  caring  for  the  wounded. 
There  was  some  fighting  on  the  6th  and  7th  of  June,  but 
without  result.  The  siege  work  was  severe,  and  in  it  the 
Second  took  an  active  part.  The  men  lived  in  the 
trenches  and  were  continually  under  fire,  taking  their 
turn,  on  every  alternate  day,  in  the  immediate  front,  but 
at  all  times,  whether  by  night  or  day,  exposed  to  the 
shells  which  the  enemy's  mortar  batteries  dropped  every 
where  around  them.  Again  there  was  manoeuvring  for  a 
change  of  base.  The  different  corps  changed  position, 
moving  one  after  the  other  by  the  left  flank  and  rear. 
It  soon  became  clear,  that  the  army  was  not  to  remain 
long  in  its  present  position.  General  Grant  declared  in 
his  report,  that  "from  the  start"  his  object  was  to  place 
the  army  upon  the  south  side  of  the  James.  Operations 
there  had  thus  far  been  singularly  baffling  and  unfortu 
nate.  General  Butler  had  hitherto  done  next  to  nothing 
toward  forwarding  the  objects  of  the  campaign.  Xow> 
on  the  10th,  he  despatched  Generals  Kautz  and  Gilmore 
—  the  former  with  cavalry,  the  latter  with  infantry  —  to 
make  an  attack  upon  Petersburg,  then  held  by  a 
small  garrison.  Kautz  fairly  entered  the  city.  Gilmore 
marched  up  and  observed  it,  and  then  countermarched  to 
Bermuda  Hundred,  whither  Kautz  was  also  obliged  to 
return. 

On  the  night  of  the  12th  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
began  its  march,  and  thenceforward  the  chief  scene  of 


1864.]  THE   REORGANIZATION.  281 

active  operations  was  to  the  south  of  the  James.  The 
movement  was  conducted  with  great  skill  —  the  with 
drawal  from  the  neighborhood  of  Cold  Harbor  being 
made  in  almost  complete  secrecy.  General  Lee  had  the 
impression,  that  an  attack  was  to  be  made  upon  Rich 
mond  byway  of  the  river  roads  —  an  impression  which 
the  Fifth  Corps  assisted  in  strengthening,  by  halting  on 
the  road  through  White  Oak  Swamp  and  demonstrating 
toward  Richmond.  The  Sixth  Corps  moved  out  of 
camp,  and  marching  toward  the  Chickahominy,  crossed 
that  river  by  a  ponton  bridge,  not  far  from  Sloane's,  late 
in  the  afternoon  and  evening  of  the  13th.  The  next  day 
it  pushed  on  to  the  James,  arriving  there,  closely  fol 
lowed  by  the  Ninth  Corps,  in  the  afternoon.  A  few 
rifle-pits  were  dug,  and  on  the  15th  the  command  crossed 
the  river,  just  above  Fort  Powhattan.  Meanwhile,  the 
Eighteenth  Corps  had  been  sent  forward  with  all  despatch 
to  Petersburg,  and  was  joined,  on  the  evening  of  the 
loth,  by  two  divisions  of  the  Second,  with  the  expecta 
tion,  on  the  part  of  General  Grant,  that  an  immediate 
attack  would  be  made  upon  the  defences  of  the  city. 
But,  by  some  misunderstanding,  no  attack  was  made, 
and  thus  for  the  third  time  were  Grant's  plans  frus 
trated.  On  the  16th  Lee  threw  in  reinforcements,  and 
the  long  siege  of  Petersburg  began.  The  Sixth  Corps, 
on  the  15th,  made  an  ineffectual  diversion  upon  the 
enemy's  communications  between  Petersburg  and  Rich 
mond.  The  Second,  with  Edwards's  brigade,  was  at 
this  time  at  the  Charles  City  cross  roads,  and  on  the 
night  of  the  16th  arrived  at  James  river,  and  encamped 
near  Brandon.  The  Sixth  Corps  went  up  to  the  neigh 
borhood  of  Fort  Walthall,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Appomattox,  and  remained  there,  with  the  exception  of 
division,  which  was  with  the  main  body  of  the 
24* 


282  THE   VETERANS.  [June, 

army  until  the  20th,  when  it  rejoined  the  other  corps 
and  came  into  line  upon  the  right. 

NeilPs  division  participated  in  some  very  severe  fight 
ing,  which  occurred  on  the  16th,  17th  and  18th  in  front 
of  Petersburg,  and  which  resulted  in  carrying  a  portion 
of  the  enemy's  outer  line  of  works.  The  Second  was 
actively  engaged  during  the  day  on  the  18th,  and  in  the 
afternoon  made  a  gallant  charge  with  the  division  across 
an  open  plain.  A  division  of  colored  troops  supported 
the  assaulting  column,  which  did  not,  however,  succeed 
in  capturing  the  works  at  which  it  was  directed.  In  this 
day's  fighting  Lieutenant  T.  J.  Smith  was  shot  through 
the  lungs,*  Sergeant  Sweet  was  wounded,  and  G  men 
were  killed  and  wounded.  The  lines  already  taken  were- 
fortified  during  the  succeeding  night,  and  the  camp  of 
the  Second  was  fired  into  by  a  force  of  the  enemy,  which 
drove  in  our  pickets  and  enfiladed  the  line.  Our  men 
quickly  rallied  and  drove  out  the  intruders.  On  the  19th 
the  firing  was  kept  up  during  the  day,  and  the  men  of  the 
Second  occupied  the  captured  works.  Relieved  on  the 
following  day,  the  Battalion  went  to  the  rear,  only  to  be 
shelled  out  by  the  enemy's  batteries. 

On  the  21st  the  Sixth  Corps  was  sent  around  to  the 
left  of  the  line,  with  the  view  of  operating  against  the 
railroads  leading  to  Petersburg  and  Richmond  from  the 
south.  Ricketts's  division  joined  its  right  flank  with 
the  left  of  Barlow's  division  of  the  Second  Corps.  Cap 
tain  Rhodes's  men  were  at  once  set  to  wrork  building  rifle- 
pits.  The  cavalry  having  been  despatched  to  strike  the 
Weldon  railroad,  the  Sixth  was  moved,  in  aid  of  the 
enterprise,  farther  to  the  left,  leaving  an  open  interval 


'Lieutenant  Smith  died  of  the  effects  of  this  wound,  Jane  18th,  1869,  just  five- 
yeare  to  a  day  from  the  time  of  his  injury. 


1804.]  THE   REORGANIZATION.  283 

between  it  and  the  left  of  the  Second  Corps.  On  the 
next  day  came  down  a  strong  column  from  Hill's  corps 
of  the  enemy's  army,  and  made  a  strenuous  and  pertina 
cious  assault  upon  this  part  of  our  line.  The  enemy 
succeeded  in  thrusting  himself  into  the  open  space,  and 
at  one  time  the  situation  looked  anything  but  encourag 
ing.  Several  hundred  prisoners  were  taken,  and  a  battery 
of  four  guns  was  captured  and  turned  upon  our  men. 
The  advance  of  the  enemy  was  finally  checked  by  infantry 
and  artillery  from  the  Second  Corps — the  20th  Massa 
chusetts  distinguishing  itself  here  —  and  the  column 
retired,  carrying  with  it  the  captured  guns  and  a  thousand 
or  fifteen  hundred  prisoners. 

On  the  23rd  the  Sixth  and  Second  Corps  advanced  to 
the  left  once  more  against  the  Weldon  railroad,  and  met 
but  little  opposition  at  first.  A  small  detachment  from 
the  Vermont  brigade,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Beatty  of  the  3rd  Vermont,  really  reached  the  railroad 
and  cut  the  telegraph  wire.  But  there  was  not  time  to- 
do  any  more  damage,  as  the  enemy  sent  down  a  force 
and  drove  back  the  adventurous  company  of  pioneers 
and  their  supports.  On  this  day  the  Second  was  engaged 
in  support  of  Battery  G,  5th  United  States  Artillery. 
On  the  24th  the  lines  were  strengthened,  and  considerable 
desultory  fighting  occurred,  with  a  loss  to  the  enemy  of 
about  300  prisoners.  Wilson's  cavalry,  which  started  on 
the  22nd,  actually  destroyed  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles 
of  the  Southside  railroad,  and  at  first  were  very  success 
ful.  But  on  their  return  they  were  confronted  by  the 
enemy,  and  were  very  badly  broken  up.  Intelligence 
coming  into  camp  on  the  29th,  the  Sixth  Corps  started 
out  to  Wilson's  assistance.  The  troops,  in  "lightest 
marching  order,"  made  good  time  to  Reams's  Station, 
which  they  found  unguarded.  During  the  next  day  they 


284  THE   VETERAXS. 

were  occupied  in  tearing  up  the  railroad  tracks,  burning 
the  ties,  and  heating  the  rails.  On  the  night  of  the  30th 
the  command  returned  to  its  position  near  the  Jerusalem 
road.  The  men  of  the  Second  did  good  service  in  this 
expedition,  destroying  the  railroad. 

For  the  next  week  the  lines  were  comparatively  quiet. 
Nothing  more  severe  than  artillery  practice  occurred. 
It  had  now  become  clear,  that  Petersburg  was  only  to  be 
taken  by  a  regular  siege.  Earthworks  were  built  — 
notable  among  which  was  Fort  Davis,  planned  by  Cap 
tain  Rhodes  and  constructed  by  his  men.  Heavy  guns 
were  already  in  position,  and  on  the  4th  the  national 
salutes  appropriate  to  the  day  were  delivered  with  shot 
and  shell.  At  the  headquarters  of  the  Second  the  day 
was  observed  in  the  old-fashioned  style  of  a  good  dinner 
—  for  camp.  The  bill  of  fare  was  sufficiently  appetizing. 
Stewed  oysters,  boiled  ham  and  potatoes,  roast  chicken 
and  turkey  (canned),  bread  and  tapioca  puddings,  apple 
pie,  lemonade  and  cigars,  furnished  forth  the  patriotic 
feast.  This  was  the  fourth  Independence  day  for  the 
veterans  of  the  Second  —  the  first  at  Camp  Clark,,  the 
second  at  Harrison's  Landing,  the  third  at  Gettysburg, 
and  now  the  fourth  in  the  trenches  before  Petersburg. 
The  day  passed  pleasantly,  and  without  material  disturb 
ance.  The  brigade  to  which  the  Second  belonged,  in 
command  of  Colonel  Edwards,  was  transferred  to  the 
first  division,  General  Russell's.  July  had  opened  favor 
ably,  and,  although  there  was  no  immediate  prospect  of 
reducing  Petersburg,  there  was  no  cause  for  discourage 
ment.  News  of  the  capture  and  destruction  of  the 
Alabama  by  the  Kearsarge,  on  the  19th  of  June,  was 
received  in  camp  on  the  8th,  and  caused  great  rejoicing. 


18G4.]  A   CHANGE   OF   SCENE.  285 


CHAPTER    II. 

A    CHANGE   OF    SCENE. 


YN  war  one  must  be  prepared  for  any  change,  however 
T sudden  or  startling.  General  Lee  thought  to  loosen 
1  the  grip  which  General  Grant  now  had  upon  him,  by 
transferring  a  portion  of  his  command  to  Maryland,  to- 
threaten  Washington.  Early's  entire  corps,  with  two- 
brigades  of  Hill's  corps,  and  a  division  under  Breckin- 
ridge,  certainly  had  gone,  and  the  enemy's  column  was 
now  marching  rapidly  down  the  Shenandoah  Valley,, 
spreading  consternation  far  and  wide.  Sigel  and  Hunter,, 
who  were  in  command  of  our  forces  in  that  quarter,  were- 
speedily  defeated  and  driven,  one  in  one  direction,  the- 
other  in  the  opposite.  Affairs  looked  somewhat  desper 
ate.  A  few  thousand  militia  were  trying  to  hold  the- 
defences  of  "Washington.  General  Grant  responded  to* 
Lee's  challenge  by  sending  the  Sixth  Corps  to  the  rescue. 
Ricketts's  division  was  despatched  first,  and  arrived  in 
season  to  participate  in  an  engagement  with  the  enemy 
at  Monocacy,  on  the  7th.  On  the  9th  and  10th  the- 
other  two  divisions  were  embarked. 

The  Second  and  the  37th  Massachusetts  were  put  on 
board   the   steamer   Peril,  and  the  officers  enjoyed  the 


286  THE  VETERANS. 

luxuries  of  a  state-room  and  a  "hotel  table/'  with 
"  every  thing  they  could  desire  to  make  them  comfort 
able."  Meanwhile,  the  enemy  was  having  his  own  way 
in  Maryland.  A  force  of  cavalry  crossed  the  state  to  the 
Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Baltimore  railroad,  cap 
tured  a  train,  and  set  Gunpowder  bridge  on  fire.  Another 
force  struck  the  Northern  Central  railroad,  and  burnt 
two  or  three  bridges.  Still  another  traversed  the  western 
and  northwestern  part  of  the  state,  picking  up  live  stock 
and  farm  produce  in  large  quantities.  The  main  body 
directed  its  movement  against  Washington  itself,  and 
struck  our  lines,  on  the  evening  of  the  llth,  near  Fort- 
Stevens,  lying  between  Forts  Slocum  and  Pennsylvania. 
Skirmishers  were  advanced,  and  preparations  for  attack 
were  apparently  made.  On  the  12th  the  sharp-shooters 
became  annoying,  and  the  situation  had  an  element  both 
of  insolence  and  shame.  But  before  night  the  aspect  of 
affairs  was  changed.  The  Sixth  Corps  began  to  arrive  in 
the  afternoon  of  the  llth  and  disembark,  and  was 
joined  by  the  Nineteenth  Corps,  which  had  opportunely 
been  brought  from  the  South.  As  the  veterans  marched 
up  into  the  city  and  pushed  on  to  the  point  of  danger, 
they  were  received  with  the  greatest  enthusiasm.  A 
heavy  burden  of  anxiety  was  lifted  from  the  minds  of  the 
citizens,  and  in  the  reaction  from  the  sense  of  extreme 
danger  to  that  of  perfect  security,  they  indulged  in 
extravagant  demonstrations  of  joy.  "We  are  safe  now! 
The  old  Sixth  has  come!"  passed  from  lip  to  lip,  and 
shouts  and  cheers  greeted  the  soldiers,  as  they  pressed 
eagerly  on  to  meet  the  bold  invader.  The  troops  that 
had  debarked  bivouacked  near  Fort  DeRussey. 

Colonel  Edwards  landed  his  brigade,  on  the  morning 
of  the  12th,  at  Sixth  street  wharf,  and  immediately 
marched  out  to  Brightwood  by  way  of  Sixteenth  street. 


1864.]  A   CHANGE   OF   SCENE.  287 

Line  of  battle  was  formed  in  the  camps  occupied  by  the 
brigade  during  the  winter  of  1861-62.  The  president, 
one  or  two  members  of  the  Cabinet  and  several  ladies 
were  in  Fort  Stevens,  having  driven  out  thither  to  witness 
the  fight  and  await  the  issue.  Through  the  afternoon, 
as  the  troops  arrived,  dispositions  for  attack  were  made, 
Forts  Slocuni  and  Stevens  meanwhile  keeping  up  a  heavy 
and  continuous  cannonade.  At  6  o'clock  a  gallant  charge 
was  made  by  the  brigade,  in  conjunction  with  the  other 
troops  of  the  corps,  and  the  enemy,  after  a  short  resist 
ance,  was  swept  away  from  the  position  he  had  so 
audaciously  taken.  The  Second  was  sent  to  hold  the 
extreme  right  of  the  line,  and,  crossing  the  field  under 
fire,  lost  3  men  wounded  —  among  them  Sergeant  J.  M. 
"Wood.  General  Wright  had  attacked  with  such  empha 
sis  and  vigor  as  effectually  to  clear  the  enemy  from  the 
lines  around  Washington,  and  thus  to  save  the  capital/ 
The  men  of  the  Second  had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing, 
that  the  labor  they  had  performed  on  Fort  Slocum  had 
borne  good  fruit. 

The  Sixth  Corps  made  no  delay,  but  pushed  its  advan 
tage  by  following  closely  the  retreating  column.  The 
enemy  retired  by  way  of  Poolesville,  gathering  in  the 
outlying  detachments  with  their  plunder,  and  on  the  14th 
and  15th  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Edwards's  Ferry  and  its 
vicinity.  General  Wright,  with  the  Sixth  Corps  and  one 
division  of  the  Nineteenth  under  General  Emory,  moved 
up  to  Poolesville  on  the  15th,  crossed  the  Potomac — the 
Second  fording  the  stream  under  fire  of  the  rebel  cavalry 
—  and  pushed  on  to  Leesburg,  where,  on  the  16th,  he 
went  into  camp.  General  Duffle,  with  a  brigade  of 
cavalry,  had,  in  the  mean  time,  moved  to  the  neigh 
borhood  of  Snicker's  Gap,  and  set  upon  the  enemy's 
baggage  train,  capturing  a  portion  of  it  —  the  remainder 


288  THE   VETERANS. 

being  burnt  by  the  enemy  himself.  Duftie  afterwards 
inarched  to  Ashley's  Gap  and  held  that  point,  while  the 
infantry,  on  the  18th,  marched  through  Snicker's,  crossed 
the  Shenandoah,  and  had  a  smart  fight  with  the  enemy. 
Colonel  Edwards's  brigade  was  detached  to  Winchester, 
which  it  held  for  a  day  or  two.  The  Second  was  sta 
tioned  at  the  village  of  Milton,  a  mile  outside  the  city. 
But  Early  had  fairly  got  away  with  his  booty,  and  the 
pursuit  accomplished  but  little  more  than  to  give  him  a 
temporary  check.  On  the  19th  General  Averill  had  an 
engagement  with  a  cavalry  force  near  Darksville,  and 
captured  four  pieces  of  artillery  and  a  few  prisoners. 
The  enemy  leisurely  marched  up  the  valley  toward  Stras- 
burg  with  his  spoil. 

The  crossing  of  the  Shenandoah  was  made  on  the 
18th  by  the  Second  and  the  37th  Massachusetts.  During 
the  previous  night  the  brigade  had  been  employed  on 
picket  duty,  and  constant  firing  was  kept  up  between  our 
own  and  the  enemy's  pickets.  When  daylight  appeared 
there  seemed  to  be  a  strong  force  of  the  enemy  on  the 
other  side.  "After  some  delay,"  says  Captain  Rhodes's 
manuscript  narrative,  ' '  caused  by  not  knowing  the  depth 
of  water,  a  place  was  selected  by  the  officer  in  command, 
and  the  two  regiments  plunged  into  the  stream,  straggled 
through  the  water,  and  landed  on  what  was  supposed  to 
be  the  main  land,  but  what  proved  to  be  an  island. 
Crossing  a  corn-field,  we  again  take  to  the  river,  and 
with  a  shout  rush  up  the  bank  and  scatter  the  few  rebel 
videttes  who  remain  to  welcome  us."  The  place  of 
crossing  wras  called  Island  Ford,  and  the  troops  supposed, 
that  they  would  be  obliged  to  face  a  large  force.  After 
crossing,  the  ford  was  held  until  the  entire  command  was 
over.  A  short  distance  farther  up  the  valley  the  enemy 
was  found  in  force,  and  was  engaged.  General  Wright 


1864.]  A   CHANGE   OF   SCEXE.  289 

•did  not  consider,  that  his  orders  permitted  him  to  con 
tinue  the  pursuit,  and,  gathering  up  the  detached  brigade 
at  Winchester,  returned,  by  way  of  Harper's  Ferry,  to 
Washington,  where  he  arrived  on  the  23rd.  The  Second 
lost  5  men,  captured  by  Mosby,  in  this  movement. 

The  Sixth  Corps  expected  to  be  ordered  back  to  Peters 
burg,  and  the  transports  were  ready  for  the  embarkation 
of  the  troops.  But  Early,  after  placing  his  captures 
where  he  considered  "they  would  do  the  most  good/' 
thought  fit  to  return  upon  his  steps.  Brushing  away 
Averill  and  his  cavalry — who  were  hanging  upon  his 
rear,  emboldened  by  their  recent  success  —  the  enemy's 
general  came  down  the  valley  once  more,  driving  our 
men  before  him  with  some  loss.  On  the  24th  he  re- 
occupied  Winchester,  and  Averill  retreated  to  Martins- 
burg  and  Harper's  Ferry.  General  Crook,  in  command 
of  the  infantry,  was  disposed  to  give  battle,  but  the 
cavalry  were  so  severely  punished  by  the  enemy  that  no 
•stand  could  be  made,  and  Crook  thought  himself  fortu 
nate  in  getting  his  command  and  his  trains  across  the 
Potomac.  Early  sent  a  raiding  party  to  Chambersburg, 
who  burnt  that  town  on  the  30th.  On  the  evening  of 
the  same  day  Mosby  made  a  dash  upon  Adamsville,  in. 
Maryland.  As  may  well  be  imagined,  considerable  ex 
citement  prevailed,  and  the  presence  of  experienced 
troops  was  required. 

Accordingly,  on  the  26th,  the  Sixth  Corps  was  put  in. 
motion  toward  the  scene  of  action.  The  Regiment  left 
Tenallytown  about  noon,  and  marched  through  Rockville 
to  a  point  about  five  miles  beyond  the  village,  where  the 
whole  command  went  into  bivouac.  Thence  to  Hyatts- 
town  on  the  2?th,  and,  on  the  28th,  through  Frederick 
City  to  Jefferson.  The  next  day  the  corps  marched  to 
Hallstown.  On  the  30th  orders  were  received  to  push 
25 


290  THE   VETERANS.  [Aug., 

on  to  the  pursuit  of  Early,  who  was  now  retreating  a 
second  time.  But  the  second  pursuit  was  as  fruitless  as 
the  first,  and  the  enemy  got  safely  off  —  barring  a  slight 
affair  at  Moorefield  with  our  cavalry  —  and  quietly  settled 
down  in  the  Shenandoah  and  occupied  himself  in  nothing 
more  laborious  than  the  harvesting  of  the  grain  and 
forage.  The  Sixth  Corps  returned  to  Frederick  and  its 
vicinity. 

On  the  1st  of  August  the  position  of  affairs  in  this 
quarter  was  not  encouraging.  Early  was  in  the  neigh 
borhood  of  Winchester.  Hunter  had  his  army,  pretty 
well  worn  by  marching  to  and  fro,  concentrated  on  the 
line  of  the  Monocacy,  east  of  the  South  Mountains  — 
leaving  the  roads  in  Western  Maryland  open  to  the 
enemy.  The  Sixth  Corps  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Fred- 
crick.  General  Grant  deemed  his  personal  presence  nec 
essary,  and  on  the  5th  he  arrived  at  headquarters,  and, 
after  consultation  with  Hunter,  ordered  his  army  to 
proceed  immediately  to  Harper's  Ferry,  and  from  that 
point  to  follow  and  attack  the  enemy,  "wherever  found." 
""In  pushing  up  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  where  it  is 
expected  you  will  have  to  go  first  or  last,"  continues  the 
order,  "it  is  desirable  that  nothing  should  be  left  to 
invite  the  enemy  to  return.  Take  all  provisions,  forage 
and  stock  wanted  for  the  use  of  your  command;  such  as 
can  not  be  consumed,  destroy.  It  is  not  desirable  that 
the  buildings  should  be  destroyed  —  they  should  rather 
be  protected;  but  the  people  should  be  informed,  that, 
so  long  as  an  army  can  subsist  among  them,  recurrences 
of  these  raids  must  be  expected,  and  we  are  determined 
to  stop  them  at  all  hazards." 

General  Grant  also  ascertained,  that  General  Hunter 
was  quite  willing  to  be  relieved  from  command,  and  he 
immediately  telegraphed  to  General  Sheridan,  then  in 


1864.]  A   CHANGE   OF   SCEXE.  291 

Washington,  to  proceed  to  Harper's  Ferry  and  assume 
the  direction  of  the  contemplated  movement.  On  the 
6th  Sheridan  arrived,  the  troops  were  put  in  motion,  and 
Grant  returned  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Up  to  this  time  Captain  Rhodes's  command  had  been 
attached  to  the  37th  Massachusetts  as  a  battalion.  It 
was  now  recognized,  by  order  issued  on  the  4th,  as  the 
Second  Rhode  Island  Regiment — "the  same  as  other 
regiments,"  says  Captain  Rhodes,  "although  not  so 
large" — and  received  its  orders  as  other  regiments,  from 
the  brigade  commander.  On  the  march  to  Harper's 
Ferry  the  Regiment — as  it  now  deserves  to  be  called  — 
was  the  rear-guard  of  the  column.  The  day's  march  was 
very  fatiguing,  as  orders  had  been  received  011  the  evening- 
previous  to  break  camp,  and  the  men  had  struck  tents 
and  bivouacked  in  the  rain  through  the  greater  part  of 
the  night.  Fording  the  Monocacy  in  the  morning  of 
the  6th,  they  pushed  rapidly  on  to  Sandy  Hook.  The 
Regiment  bivouacked  that  night  on  the  tow-path  of  the 
canal  —  a  causeway  about  eight  feet  wide,  with  the  canal 
on  one  side  and  the  river  on  the  other.  The  next  morn 
ing  the  Regiment  crossed  the  Potomac,  and  the  command 
went  into  camp  near  Harper's  Ferry,  with  the  prospect 
of  active  duty  in  the  immediate  future. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  days  two  divisions  of  cavalry 
were  sent  from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  to  reenforce 
the  command,  and  General  Sheridan  moved  up  the  valley 
on  the  10th.  On  the  llth  and  12th  there  was  consider 
able  skirmishing  near  AVinchester  and  Xewtown.  •  On 
the  13th  the  advance  was  near  Strasburg,  and  on  the 
same  night  our  skirmishers  entered  the  town.  Here  the 
enemy  was  met  in  considerable  force,  occupying  a  strong 
position  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  which  General  Sheridan 
did  not  feel  able  to  carry.  Meanwhile,  also,  a  portion  of 


292  THE   VETERANS.  [Aug.,. 

Longstreet's  corps  was  reported  to  have  been  sent  to  the 
western  side  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  from  that  quarter  to- 
threaten  our  flank  and  rear.  Mosby  struck  our  trains 
through  Snicker's  Gap,  and  made  some  handsome  cap 
tures.  There  was  brisk  skirmishing  between  the  cav 
alry  of  both  armies  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cedar 
Creek.  On  the  14th,  loth  and  16th  the  Second  was  at 
Middletown,  on  the  14th  expecting  to  move  forward. 
But  Sheridan  finally  withdrew  to  Winchester.  On  the 
16th  our  cavalry  had  a  fight  with  Kershaw's  division  of 
Longstreet's  corps,  and  captured  300  prisoners.  Sheridan 
fell  back  to  Charlestown.  On  the  21st  a  severe  engage 
ment  took  place  near  Summit  Point.  Our  line  was. 
formed  with  the  Sixth  Corps  upon  the  right,  resting  on 
the  Martinsburg  turnpike,  about  two  miles  south  of 
Charlestown,  the  Eighth  Corps  in  the  centre  and  the- 
Nineteenth  upon  the  left.  The  fighting  was  somewhat 
severe,  the  brunt  of  it  being  borne  by  the  Sixth,  but  the- 
results  were  indecisive,  and  after  repulsing  the  enemy's*, 
attack  and  forcing  him  to  retire,  our  army  retired  toward 
Hallstown.  In  this  fight  the  Second  was  on  the  skirmish 
line  all  day,  and  had  one  man  wounded.  A  line  was-, 
taken,  not  far  from  Bolivar  Heights,  and  fortified  — the 
right  resting  on  the  Potomac,  the  left  extending  to  the-. 
Shenandoah.  On  the  25th  a  reconnoissance  was  made 
upon  our  right,  with  an  engagement  with  the  enemy  at, 
Leetown;  on  the  26th,  on  our  left,  forcing  the  enemy 
back,  with  a  small  loss  of  prisoners.  There  being  no- 
great  strength  in  front,  General  Sheridan  moved  out  on 
the  28th,  and,  coming  in  contact  with  the  enemy  near 
Smithfield,  drove  him,  with  Merritt's  and  Custer's  cavalry, 
across  Opequan  creek.  Upon  the  withdrawal  of  our 
cavalry  the  enemy  followed,  but  wras  promptly  met  on  the- 
hither  side  of  the  Opequan  by  Ricketts's  division  of  the- 


1804.]  A    <  II  AX<.E    OF   SCEXE.  293 

Sixth,  before  whom  he  judged  it  best  to  retire.  No. 
further  advance,  however,  was  made,  and  the  armies 
rested  in  position. 

Thus  passed  the  month  of  August.  Our  army  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  had  won  no  victories.  But  it  had 
suffered  no  defeats.  It  had  marched  carefully  up  the 
valley  as  far  as  Strasburg,  and  had  marched  down  again _ 
Mosby,  the  ubiquitous  partisan  of  that  region,  had  given 
considerable  trouble  and  inflicted  severe  damage  upon 
our  trains.  Our  cavalry  had  had  many  a  sharp  skirmish 
with  the  enemy,  in  which  Colonel  Lowell  of  the  2nd 
Massachusetts  gained  much  distinction  for  gallantry  and 
skill.  General  Sheridan  had  not  as  yet  felt  justified  in 
bringing  on  any  decisive  battle  with  his  antagonist,  and 
was  obliged  to  content  himself  witli  manoeuvring  to> 
occupy  a  defensive  position,  with  a  view  of  protecting 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  from  invasion.  Occasion 
ally  a  few  rebel  cavalry  and  artillerymen  would  make  a, 
dash  to  the  banks  of  the  upper  Potomac,  and  throw  a 
few  shells  into  AVilliamsport  or  Hancock  or  Clear  Spring^ 
and  set  all  Pennsylvania  aflame  with  excitement  and 
apprehension.  It  was  a  sensitive  time,  and  the  public 
pulse  would  now  and  then  beat  feverishly.  But  the 
summer  passed  away,  and,  as  the  cool  autumnal  days 
came  on,  the  country  settled  calmly  into  the  conviction, 
that,  at  the  proper  time,  Sheridan  and  his  veterans 
would  give  of  themselves  a  creditable  account. 


25* 


294  THE    VETERANS.  [Sept.,. 


CHAPTER    III. 

SHERIDAN   MOVES   OUT   TO   BATTLE. 


jphfHE  early  part  of  September  passed  in  much  the  same? 
I  manner  as  the  preceding  month.  There  was  an 
1  occasional  relief  to  the  fatiguing  duty  of  marching 
and  countermarching,,  in  the  skirmishing  which  took 
place  on  the  front  lines.  On  the  4th  the  Second  Regi 
ment  and  the  5th  Wisconsin  were  out  by  Clifton,  about 
ten  miles  from  the  river,  on  picket.  Late  in  the  after 
noon  an  excited  orderly  came  running  into  camp,  pursued 
by  three  rebel  cavalrymen.  Captain  Rhodes  immediately 
formed  his  command,  and  in  a  few  minutes  was  engaged 
in  manoeuvring  and  skirmishing  with  a  force  about  equal 
to  his  own.  It  was  a  brisk  affair,  and  lasted  until  dark 
—  each  party  trying  to  get  in  the  rear  of  the  other  and 
cut  the  line  of  retreat.  At  one  time  the  report  prevailed 
at  headquarters  that  the  Second  had  been  captured.  But 
there  was  no  foundation  for  the  story,  and  in  the  evening 
both  parties  retired  without  appreciable  loss.  Affairs 
like  these  occurred  almost  daily  along  the  lines,  which 
were  now  fortified  —  the  enemy  lying  "on  the  west  bank 
of  the  Opequan  creek,  covering  Winchester,  and  our 
forces  in  front  of  Berry ville." 


1864.]  SHERIDAN   MOVES   OUT  TO   BATTLE.  295 

General  Sheridan  chafed  a  little  during  this  season  of 
inaction.  But  General  Grant,  apprehensive  of  the  con 
sequences  of  defeat  in  that  quarter,  "hesitated  about 
allowing  the  initiative  to  be  taken."  Finally  he  decided 
to  make  a  personal  examination  of  the  position,  and  011 
the  loth  he  visited  Sheridan's  headquarters,  to  ascertain 
for  himself  what  plan  of  operations  was  best  to  ensure 
success.  "I  met  General  Sheridan  at  Charlestown,"' 
says  General  Grant,  in  his  report,  "  and  he  pointed  out 
so  distinctly  how  each  army  lay,  wrhat  he  could  do  the 
moment  he  was  authorized,  and  expressed  such  confidence 
of  success,  that  I  saw  there  were  but  two  words  of 
instructions  necessary — 'Go  in!'  For  the  convenience 
of  forage  the  teams  for  supplying  the  army  were  kept  at 
Harpers  Ferry.  I  asked  him  if  he  could  get  out  his. 
teams  and  supplies,  in  time  to  make  an  attack  on  the 
ensuing  Tuesday  morning,  the  20th.  His  reply  was,  that 
he  could  do  it  before  daylight  on  Monday.  He  was  off 
promptly  to  time,  and  I  may  here  add,  that  the  result 
was  such  that  I  have  never  since  deemed  it  necessary  to- 
visit  General  Sheridan  before  giving  him  orders." 

The  army  moved  at  daylight  on  the  19th,  and  crossed 
Opequan  creek.  The  troops  were  in  excellent  spirits, 
with  the  hope  of  active  service,  that  they  might  do  away 
with  the  reproach  which  they  fancied  had  fallen  upon 
them  on  account  of  their  inaction.  At  one  time,  even,, 
the  sobriquet  of  "  Harper's  Weekly  "  had  been  attached 
to  them  for  their  frequent  visits  to  the  Ferry.  Xow  all 
this  was  to  come  to  an  end,  and  they  pushed  on  right 
gallantly  to  win  for  themselves  a  more  appropriate  and 
creditable  name.  At  the  crossing  of  the  creek  there  was- 
some  opposition  from  the  enemy's  cavalry,  and  for  a, 
short  time  the  fight  was  hot.  But  the  banks  were 
cleared,  and  the  infantry  and  artillery  got  across  without 


296  THE   VETERANS.  [Sept., 

further  difficulty.  Sheridan  formed  line  of  battle,  the 
Sixth  on  the  right  and  centre,  the  Nineteenth  on  the  left, 
the  cavalry  on  the  extreme  right.  General  Crook's  com 
mand  was  held  in  reserve  on  the  east  side.  The  3rd 
division  of  the  Sixth  was  ordered  to  attack.  The  charge 
was  promptly  and  vigorously  made,  and  as  promptly  and 
vigorously  met.  The  enemy  bringing  up  superior  forces, 
the  assaulting  column  was  forced  back  in  some  confusion. 
Russell's  1st  division  was  now  sent  into  the  fight,  with  a 
better  fortune.  The  enemy's  centre  felt  the  pressure, 
wavered,  retired  for  a  better  formation.  It  was  now 
noon,  and,  if  no  great  gain  had  been  won,  nothing  had 
been  lost.  The  attack  was  firmly  pressed,  and  a  per 
ceptible  advantage  was  gained.  But  now  the  enemy 
stood  more  firmly,  and  the  reserve  was  ordered  forward. 
General  Crook  came  gallantly  into  action  with  the  Army 
of  Western  Virginia,  and  affairs  looked  more  promising. 
Meanwhile,  in  front  of  the  Second  sharp  fighting  was 
going  on.  The  37th  Massachusetts,  carried  away  with 
the  enthusiasm  of  the  attack,  had  rushed  forward  beyond 
the  line,  and  were  hotly  engaged  with  a  large  force,  both 
of  infantry  and  artillery.  Armed  with  the  Spencer  rifle, 
they  were  doing  good  execution,  and  had  approached  to 
a  position  dangerously  near  the  enemy's  line,  when  they 
discovered,  that  their  ammunition  was  expended.  Col 
onel  Edwards,  commanding  the  brigade,  ordered  the 
Second  in  to  the  rescue  of  the  imperilled  regiment.  The 
men  filled  their  pockets  with  Spencer  cartridges,  and, 
with  their  own  boxes  full,  started  forward.  Crossing  a  hill, 
an  open  space  of  three  or  four  hundred  yards,  swept  by 
artillery,  intervened  between  them  and  the  37th.  Cap 
tain  Rhodes  deployed  his  whole  command  as  skirmishers, 
and  at  a  double-quick  the  Regiment  rushed  across  the 
field,  came  into  line  with  the  37th,  and  lay  low.  A  few 


1864.]  SHERIDAN   MOVES   OUT  TO   BATTLE.  297 

volleys  from  the  Springfield  rifles  of  the  Second  gave  a 
short  breathing  time,  and  the  Spencer  cartridges  were- 
hastily  passed  from  hand  to  hand.  The  entire  corps  had 
now  moved  up,  the  position  was  secured,  and  a  brief 
halt  was  made.  Sheridan,  not  slow  to  perceive  his 
advantage,  formed  his  line  anew,  and,  riding  along  the- 
front  of  the  Sixth  and  Nineteenth,  addressed  each  bri 
gade:  "When  the  bugle  sounds  I  want  the  command 
to  go  forward.  The  Army  of  West  Virginia  will  sup 
port,  and  turn  their  flank,  and  then  we  will  give  them 
the  cavalry!"  The  men  replied  with  a  cheer,  assuring 
the  general  that  they  were  ready. 

It  was  now  about  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  what 
followed  can  best  be  described  in  Captain  Rhodes's  own 
words:  "Soon  the  bugle  rings  out  clear  and  loud. 
4 Forward!'  shout  the  generals,  and  the  order  is  taken  up 
and  repeated  along  the  whole  line.  The  army  is  in 
motion,  the  pace  increases  to  a  run,  and  soon,  at  a  right 
shoulder  shift,  we  go  at  a  furious  rate,  yelling  like- 
demons,  upon  the  rebel  lines  and  works.  Muskets  blaze- 
along  the  rebel  ranks,  the  batteries  belch  forth  shot  and 
shell.  Men  go  down,  but  the  gaps  are  closed  up,  and 
with  Sheridan  at  our  head  we  dart  through  their  lines, 
and  victory  is  ours.  The  broken  and  demoralized  enemy- 
is  flying  with  desperate  haste,  while  on  the  right  we  hear 
the  bugle's  blast.  Down  come  the  cavalry,  sweeping 
every  thing  before  them  like  the  whirlwind.  If  the  men 
were  excited  before,  now  they  are  mad  with  victory,  and> 
with  smoking  pistols  and  flashing  sabres,  they  cut  their 
way  right  and  left  to  the  very  entrance  of  the  city. 

"  Here  the  rebels  rally,  and  many  a  brave  horseman  is 
made  to  bite  the  dust  before  the  bullets  of  the  rebel 
infantry.  But  they  are  fighting  only  to  gain  time,  and 
soon  they  are  flying  through  the  streets,  closely  pursued 


298  THE  VETERANS.  [Sept., 

by  our  men.  Volleys  are  fired  up  and  down  the  streets, 
while  one  brave  girl)  her  heart  still  filled  with  love  for 
the  Union,  stands  upon  the  steps  of  her  father's  house 
and  proudly  waves  'Old  Glory'  between  the  infuriated 
hosts.  Our  men  see  the  flag  and  the  fair  maid  that  sets 
them  such  a  glorious  example,  and,  with  one  more  dash, 
drive  the  rebel  hordes  from  the  '  Valley  city.' " 

The  victory  was  really  signal  and  decisive,  and  was 
marked  with  the  capture  of  numerous  prisoners,  pieces 
of  artillery,  flags,  and  much  material  of  war.  General 
Sheridan's  despatch,  dated  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  of  the 
20th,  is  characteristic:  "We  have  fought  Early  from 
daylight  till  between  6  and  7,  P.  M.  We  drove  him  from 
Opequan  creek  through  Winchester  and  beyond  the 
town.  We  captured  2500  to  3000  prisoners,  five  pieces  of 
artillery,  nine  battle  flags,  and  all  the  rebel  wounded  and 
dead.  Their  wounded  in  Winchester  amount  to  some 
three  thousand.  We  lost  in  killed,  General  David  A. 
Russell,  commanding  a  division  of  the  Sixth  Army 
Corps,  and  wounded,  Generals  Chapman,  Mclntosh  and 
Upton.  The  rebels  lost  in  killed  the  following  general 
officers:  Generals  Rhodes,  Wharton,  Gordon  and  Rani- 
sem.  AVe  have  just  sent  them  whirling  through  Win 
chester,  and  we  are  after  them  to-morrow.  This  army 
behaved  splendidly.  I  am  sending  forward  all  the  medi 
cal  supplies,  subsistence  stores  and  ambulances."* 

A  subsequent  despatch  stated,  that  the  number  of 
flags  captured  was  fifteen.  Barely  stopping  to  rest  for 
a  few  hours,  Sheridan  followed  the  retreating  enemy 
in  hot  pursuit.  The  cavalry  hurried  along  through 
Kearnstown,  across  Cedar  Creek,  and  by  3  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  20th  wras  near  Strasburg.  A  pursuit  of 

*Sheridan's  despatch  to  General  Stevenson,  commanding  at  Harper's  Ferry. 


1804.]  SHERIDAN   MOVES   OUT   TO    BATTLE.  209 

thirty  miles  pushed  the  enemy  to  Fishers  Hill,  south  of 
Siraslmrg,  where  his  exhausted  troops  found  shelter  and 
a  temporary  rest  behind  a  line  of  breastworks.  Sheridan 
moved  his  army  rapidly  up  the  valley,  and  "  on  the 
evening  of  the  20th  Wright  and  Emory  went  into  posi 
tion  on  the  heights  of  Strasburg,  Crook  north  of  Cedar 
Creek,  the  cavalry  to  the  right  and  rear  of  Wright,  and 
Emory  extending  to  the  back  road."  During  the  night 
Crook  was  concealed  in  the  timber  north  of  Cedar  Creek, 
where  he  remained  during  the  21st.  On  that  day  the 
Sixth  and  Nineteenth  Corps  were  moved  up  to  the  front 
of  the  enemy's  line,  where  a  severe  engagement  took 
place,  participated  in  by  a  portion  of  Ricketts's  and 
Getty's  divisions  of  the  Sixth.  The  cavalry  went  down 
the  Luray  Valley. 

On  the  night  of  the  21st  Crook  with  the  Eighth  Corps 
moved  into  the  woods  near  Strasburg,  and  early  in  the 
morning  of  the  22nd  marched  to  the  enemy's  left — 
keeping  well  concealed.  Ricketts's  division  was  massed 
opposite  the  enemy's  left  centre.  Emory  was  placed 
upon  our  left,  and  the  cavalry  well  posted  upon  Ricketts's 
right.  The  attack  was  most  gallantly  made  by  Ricketts, 
supported  promptly  by  the  Nineteenth  and  the  remain 
der  of  the  Sixth  Corps.  The  enemy  was  staggered  by 
the  blow,  and  then  Crook  came  swinging  in  upon  his 
left  and  rear.  He  was  thus  completely  broken,  and, 
abandoning  every  thing,  fled  in  confusion  and  disgrace 
ful  rout.  The  struggle  was  of  short  duration,  and  its 
results  were  brilliant.  Had  the  cavalry  in  the  Luray 
Valley  been  successful  in  their  movement,  Sheridan 
thought,  that  the  entire  rebel  army  would  have  been 
captured.  As  it  was,  it  was  badly  disorganized. 

General  Sheridan  once  more  pushed  on  in  pursuit  of 
the  flying  foe.  During  the  night  of  the  22ud  he  reached 


300  THE   VETERANS.  [Oct., 

Woodstock.  On  the  23rd  the  advance  was  near  Mount 
Jackson,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  the  entire  army 
occupied  that  place.  The  enemy  was  on  the  south  side 
of  the  river,  occupying  a  strong  position,  which  he  left 
upon  the  appearance  of  our  troops.  Sheridan  endeavored 
to  bring  him  to  a  stand  for  battle,  but  the  retreat  was  too 
rapid.  That  night  the  army  encamped  six  miles  south 
of  New  Market.  On  the  25th  the  Sixth  and  Nineteenth 
Oorps  arrived  at  Harrisonburg.  Crook  was  halted  farther 
•down  the  valley,  as  a  corps  of  observation.  On  the  26th 
n  cavalry  force  was  sent  out  toward  Staunton  and  Waynes- 
boro'.  On  the  29th  the  infantry  proceeded  to  Mount 
Oawford,  in  support  of  the  cavalry.  On  the  30th  the 
cavalry  came  in  from  a  successful  movement,  a  division 
was  sent  to  Port  Kepublic,  and  the  Sixth  and  Nineteenth 
Corps  on  the  1st  of  October  were  withdrawn  to  Harrison- 
burg. 

The  operations  of  the  last  half  of  the  month  had 
changed  the  entire  aspect  of  affairs  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley.  The  enemy,  instead  of  being  defiant  and  aggres 
sive,  had  been  defeated,  broken,  humiliated,  and,  in 
.general,  "whirled"  along  up  the  valley,  in  violation  of 
all  former  precedent.  Our  own  men,  who  had  become 
somewhat  uneasy  and  not  a  little  indignant,  by  their 
numerous  marches  and  countermarches,  not  knowing 
their  object,  had  been  signally  aroused  and  encouraged. 
They  were  now  elate  and  enthusiastic  with  victory. 
They  had  done  a  good  fortnight's  work.  The  valley 
from  Harrisonburg  down  was  now  in  their  hands.  Sheri 
dan  had  been  ordered  to  put  it  in  such  a  condition  as  to 
prevent  its  being  in  the  future  a  granary  and  depot  of 
supplies  for  the  enemy.  Accordingly,  forage,  subsist- 
once,  and  the  gathered  harvests  were  destroyed.  In 
some  instances,  contrary  to  the  general's  orders,  dwelling 


1804.]  SHERIDAN   MOVES   OUT  TO   BATTLE.  301 

houses  were  burnt,  and  only  a  blackened  stack  of  chimneys 
showed  where  a  prosperous  home  had  been.  It  was  •'  cruel 
war  "  that  now,  in  reality,  laid  its  destructive  and  devas 
tating  hand  upon  the  beautiful  valley  of  the  Shenandoah. 
Where  once  were  fields  smiling  with  plenty  was  now  a  deso 
late  waste.  The  exigencies  of  the  conflict  demanded,  that 
''nothing  should  be  left  to  invite  the  enemy  to  return." 
In  connection  with  the  battle  of  the  19th  has  been 
mentioned  the  fall  of  General  David  A.  Russell.  His 
death  was  a  great  loss  to  the  Union  army  and  the 
cause  it  was  defending.  He  was  a  graduate  of  the  mili 
tary  academy  at  West  Point,  in  the  class  of  1845,  and 
served  with  distinction  in  the  4th  United  States  Infantry 
in  Mexico.  In  1854  he  was  promoted  to  captain,  and 
this  rank  he  held  at  the  beginning  of  the  war.  Appointed 
colonel  of  the  7th  Massachusetts,  upon  the  promotion  of 
Colonel  Couch,  he  won  such  a  reputation  for  skill  and 
gallantry  in  the  Peninsular  campaign  as  to  gain  the  brevet 
of  major,  a  full  promotion,  and  the  brevet  of  lieutenant- 
colonel  in  the  regular  army.  In  November,  1862,  he  was 
made  brigadier-general  of  volunteers,  and  as  such  he 
has  appeared  more  than  once  on  these  pages.  Since 
November,  1863,  to  the  time  of  his  death,  with  the 
exception  of  a  short  interval,  he  had  the  command  of 
the  1st  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  and  in  the  gallant 
charge  of  the  division  at  the  battle  of  Opequan  he  fell, 
as  has  already  been  narrated.  He  was  a  line  soldier,  a 
gallant  gentleman,  a  true  and  faithful  man.  He  was  a 
warm  friend  of  Sheridan,  and  he  enjoyed  the  fullest 
confidence  of  his  chief.  "His  death,"  said  Sheridan, 
"brought  sadness  to  every  heart  in  the  army."  General 
Wheaton,  commanding  the  1st  brigade  of  the  2nd  divis 
ion,  was  assigned  on  the  21st  to  the  command  of  the  1st 
division,  in  General  Russell's  place. 
26 


302  THE   VETERANS.  [Sept.,. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

END  OF  THE  SHENANDOAH  CAMPAIGN. 


]ph[HE  Second  Kegiment  did  not  share  directly  in  the- 
F  glory  of  this  campaign  after  the  battle  of  Opeqnan. 
1  General  Sheridan  complimented  Edwards's  brigade 
for  the  part  it  had  taken  in  the  battle.  It  had  hand 
somely  done  its  work,  he  says  in  his  report.  After  the- 
battle  he  assigned  the  brigade  to  duty  as  the  garrison  at 
Winchester.  The  task  of  organizing  the  hospital  service,, 
of  collecting  and  making  an  inventory  of  the  captured 
cannon  and  other  material,  of  keeping  order  in  the  town, 
of  searching  for  and  securing  arms,  of  encouraging  the 
loyal  and  repressing  the  disloyal  element  of  the  popula 
tion,  fell  to  the  duty  of  the  garrison,  and  it  is  needless 
to  say,  that  it  was  always  faithfully  performed.  The 
burial  of  the  dead  and  the  caring  for  the  wounded  of 
both  armies  were  among  the  earliest  things  to  be  done. 
The  churches  and  hotels  in  the  town  were  taken  for  hos 
pitals,  and  the  wounded  received  as  good  treatment  as 
was  possible  in  the  circumstances.  The  regiments  in  the 
brigade  were  distributed  in  different  parts  of  the  town. 
The  Second  and  the  5th  Wisconsin  were  posted  in  the 
northern  section,  the  command  of  which  was  assigned  to 


1864.]      EXD   OF  THE   SHEXAXDOAH   CAMPAIGN.  303 

Captain  Rhodes.  The  37th  Massachusetts  was  made 
provost  guard.  In  a  short  time  the  confusion  and  dis 
order  consequent  upon  the  battle  subsided,  the  prisoners 
were  sent  north,  and  the  city  assumed  the  aspect  of  a 
quiet  and  peaceful  community. 

On  the  24-th  of  September,  while  the  Second  was  thus 
employed,  an  additional  company,  designated  by  the 
letter  E,  arrived  from  Rhode  Island,  officered  by  Captain 
James  A.  Bowen,  formerly  first  lieutenant  in  the  Twelfth 
Rhode  Island,  and  Second  Lieutenant  John  K.  Dorrance. 
To  this  company  First  Lieutenant  Halliday  was  assigned 
upon  his  promotion.  The  names  of  the  warrant  officers 
were  as  follows:  Sergeants  (first)  James  Seamans,  Edwin 
S.  Herrick,  Frank  G.  Brayton,  Thomas  R.  Cook  and 
William  Wathey;  Corporals  William  Rowley,  Jr.,  Albert 
W.  White,  Albert  L.  Wood,  Benjamin  F.  Barker,  Frank 
Alexander,  Daniel  H.  Hagan,  George  L.  Xye  and  Willis 
P.  Grey.  Two  musicians,  a  wagoner  and  67  enlisted 
men  made  up  the  complement  of  the  command.  Immedi 
ately  upon  its  arrival  the  company  was  incorporated  with 
the  Second,  and  went  upon  duty,  as  a  part  of  the  garrison 
of  Winchester. 

Captain  Rhodes  varied  his  garrison  duty  with  occasional 
excursions  into  the  neighboring  country,  in  search  of 
arms  and  other  articles  contraband  of  war,  a  service 
which  he  performed  with  tact  and  discretion.  Once  the 
town  was  threatened  by  Mosby.  The  pickets  were  doubled 
on  all  the  roads,  and  every  preparation  made  to  give  him 
a  warm  reception.  He  contented  himself  with  attacking 
and  capturing  a  supply  train,  securing  considerable  spoil. 
On  the  25th  Captain  Rhodes  was  ordered  to  escort  a  train 
as  far  as  Fisher's  Hill.  The  Regiment  started  early  in 
the  morning,  and,  marching  vigorously,  reached  its 
destination,  twenty-one  miles  distant,  by  nightfall,  cany- 


304  THE   VETERANS.  [Oct(> 

ing  its  train  in  with  entire  safety.  The  men  rested 
through  the  night,  and  on  the  26th  returned  to  Win 
chester,  having  made  this  march  of  forty-two  miles 
without  apparent  exhaustion,  and  coming  into  the  city  in 
fine  condition.  On  the  way  back  to  Winchester  Captain 
Rhodes's  orderly,  Corporal  Zaccheus  Chase,  captured 
four  of  the  enemy's  soldiers  —  stragglers  or  scouts  —  and 
brought  them  in.  A  Spencer  "seven  shooter"  was  an 
efficient  instrument  in  making  the  capture,  and  the  cor 
poral  was  pardonably  proud  of  the  exploit. 

The  sentiment  of  the  people  of  Winchester  seemed 
to  be  about  equally  divided.  The  Union  families,  who- 
had  suffered  much  during  the  different  occupations  of 
the  town,  now  hailed  the  coming  of  our  men  with  warm 
greetings.  The  officers  were  received  with  a  generous 
hospitality.  The  rebellious  element  was  bitter,  though 
not  offensively  demonstrative.  Many  families  were- 
dressed  in  mourning,  for  the  sons  and  brothers  who- 
had  fallen  in  the  recent  fight.  The  only  church  which 
was  open  for  service  was  Episcopalian,  and  the  rector 
was  somewhat  pointed  in  his  illustrations  and  selections 
of  his  scripture  lessons.  But,  on  the  whole,  the  garrison 
had  a  pleasant  time,  and  enjoyed  the  life  in  the  town 
rather  better  than  the  scant  rations  and  the  wet  bivouac 
in  the  fields  and  woods. 

Meanwhile,  General  Sheridan  had  in  mind  the  question 
of  moving  on  Charlottesville  and  Gordonsville.  He  was 
indisposed  to  operate  in  that  direction,  and  preferred  to 
leave  General  Crook  to  hold  the  valley,  if  possible,  with  a 
small  force,  and  to  return,  with  the  greater  part  of  hi& 
army,  to  the  Petersburg  line.  So  he  gradually  drew 
back  to  Cedar  Creek,  preparing  to  send  the  Sixth  Corps 
to  General  Grant,  by  way  of  Ashby's  Gap  and  Washing 
ton.  On  the  10th  of  October  the  corps  was  at  Front, 


18G4.]      END   OF  THE   SHEXAXDOAH   CAMPAIGN.  305 

Royal,  and  on  the  12th  at  the  Ashby  Gap  crossing  of  the 
Shenandoah.  But  on  some  threatening  demonstration 
by  the  enemy  the  corps  was  recalled.  General  Sheridan 
on  the  13th  was  summoned  to  Washington  for  consulta 
tion  with  Secretary  Stan  ton.  General  Wright  was  left  at 
Cedar  Creek,  in  command  of  the  army.  On  the  16th 
Sheridan  was  at  Front  Royal,  on  his  way  to  Washington, 
and  had  his  consultation  with  the  authorities  at  the 
capital  on  the  17th.  He  went  to  Martinsburg  by  rail 
during  the  night  of  the  17th-18th,  and  immediately 
proceeded  to  Winchester,  where  he  remained  through  the 
rest  of  the  day  and  the  following  night. 

During  his  absence  affairs  at  the  front  became  very 
alarming.  Early  had  been  quietly  reenforced,  and  at  an 
early  hour  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  fell  with  over 
whelming  effect  on  the  left  of  Wright,  where  Crook  had 
been  posted.  The  surprise  was  so  complete  and  the 
attack  so  vigorous,  that  the  left  flank  was  turned  in  a 
moment,  the  camp  invaded,  and  Crook's  command  broken 
up  in  confusion.  At  the  same  time  the  enemy  made  an 
assault  upon  Wright's  front,  and  fairly  drove  out  our 
men  from  their  position,  in  such  disorder  that  a  large 
part  of  the  army  was  for  the  time  disorganized.  A  new 
line  was  formed  at  a  point  about  a  mile  and  a  half  north 
of  Middletown.  But  the  roads  in  the  rear  presented  a 
scene  which  beggars  description  —  filled  as  they  were 
with  flying  teams,  horses,  and  stragglers  from  the  front, 
reporting  utter  rout  and  panic.  It  seemed  as  though  the 
brilliant  series  of  victories  was  to  end  in  complete  and 
shameful  disaster. 

Sheridan  was  at  Winchester,  when,  at   7  o'clock  in 

the  morning,  the  pickets  reported   artillery   firing.     A 

reconnoissance  had  gone  out,  and  he  thought,  that  the 

firing  was  from  that  movement,  and  gave  it  little  heed. 

26* 


30G  THE   VETERANS.  [Oct., 

Leisurely  mounting  his  horse  a  while  after,  he  rode  out 
through  the  town,  and  had  proceeded  but  a  little  way 
when  his  quick  ear  told  him,  that  something  more  serious- 
was  in  progress.  It  was  9  o'clock,  and  he  soon  began  to 
meet  the  stragglers  that  were  coming  away  from  the- 
front.  The  whole  matter  now  became  clear.  Quickly 
ordering  the  brigade  out  from  Winchester,  to  gather  up 
the  fragments  of  the  army  and  turn  them  back  to  their 
duty,  he  pushed  on  himself  to  the  scene  of  the  engage 
ment.  He  put  spurs  to  his  horse  and  gallopped  in  a, 
cloud  of  dust  up  the  road.  More  teams,  more  men, 
more  confusio'n!  The  man  was  furious,  and,  if  a  few 
oaths  were  mingled  with  his  ejaculations  and  orders  to- 
the  fugitives,  they  were  pardonable  then  —  if  at  any  time. 
The  men  cheered  as  they  saw  the  foaming  steed  and 
heard  the  voice  of  their  general,  and,  shamed  into  self- 
respect  and  remembrance  of  their  duty,  turned  back  and 
followed  him.  Fortunately  the  cavalry  and  Getty's  divis 
ion  stood  firm  against  the  enemy,  and  Sheridan,  dashing 
into  the  lines,  found,  that  an  opportunity  was  still 
given  him  for  retrieving  the  day.  He  reformed  his 
lines,  he  rallied  the  returning  fugitives,  he  re-disposed 
the  command,  and,  having  personally  attended  to  the- 
new  movements  of  the  separate  parts  of  his  army  and 
their  consolidation,  he  assumed  command  and  awaited 
the  enemy's  renewed  attack.  Under  the  eye  and  in  the- 
inspiring  presence  of  their  general,  the  men  met  the 
assault  firmly,  and  repulsed  it.  Meanwhile,  the  numbers: 
of  the  returning  troops  were  constantly  increasing,  and 
at  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Sheridan  thought  himself 
strong  enough  to  attack  in  his  turn. 

It  can  easily  be  imagined  with  what  enthusiasm  and 
resolution  the  assault  was  made.  Smarting  under  the- 
sense  of  the  morning's  defeat,  and  now  acting  under  the 


1864.]      END   OF  THE   SHENANDOAH   CAMPAIGN.  30? 

immediate  direction  of  their  chief,  the  men  went  to  their 
work  with  a  will.  There  were  stone  fences  and  rail 
breastworks  to  storm,  but  these  were  carried  after  a  sharp 
resistance.  Our  line  was  the  shorter  of  the  two,  and  the- 
enemy  moved  out  to  overlap  it.  Swinging  round  our 
right,  a  portion  of  his  troops  fiercely  attacked  the  Nine 
teenth  Corps.  Then  came  down  upon  the  rear  of  this- 
flanking  force  Ouster  with  his  cavalry.  It  was  like  a> 
thunderbolt,  and  nothing  but  the  utmost  good  fortune 
saved  the  enemy's  left  wing  from  capture  and  annihila 
tion.  At  the  same  time  our  infantry  made  a  counter 
charge,  which  was  entirely  and  brilliantly  successful. 
The  enemy  was  driven  down  to  the  creek  in  utter  con 
fusion,  and  there,  entangled  among  the  difficulties  of 
crossing,  his  defeat  became  a  rout.  Such  a  complete 
reverse  he  had  never  before  known.  A  part  of  his  army 
got  across,  but  Ouster  and  Devin,  finding  each  a  ford, 
on  either  side  of  the  road,  cut  in  among  the  retreating: 
masses  with  the  cavalry,  and  drove  them  headlong  to  Fish 
er's  Hill,  abandoning  every  thing — the  road  for  "a  dis 
tance  of  over  three  miles  being  literally  blocked  by  wagons, 
ambulances,  artillery,  caissons,  etc."*  Early  did  not  stop 
at  Fisher's  Hill  that  night,  but  continued  his  retreat  to- 
New  Market,  where  he  hoped  to  rally  his  scattered  troops. 
But  it  was  of  no  use.  His  prestige  as  a  commander  was. 
gone,  and  the  disasters,  which  four  short  weeks  had 
brought  upon  his  army,  put  an  end  to  any  further 
important  operations  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  He  had 
lost  90  pieces  of  artillery,  with  caissons  and  ammunition, 
40  flags,  19,000  small  arms,  with  ammunition  and  equip 
ments,  3500  horses,  7500  unwounded  prisoners,  and 
probably  in  killed  and  wounded  at  least  15,000  more. 

*Sheridan'e  report. 


308  THE   VETERANS.  [Oct., 

Among  our  own  casualties  were  Generals  Wright  and 
Ricketts,  wounded. 

This  battle  of  Cedar  Creek  was  decisive  of  the  cam 
paign.  It  practically  ended  the  enemy's  occupation  of 
the  valley.  The  part  which  Sheridan  played  in  it  was 
most  brilliant,  and  gave  him  an  enduring  distinction. 
That  he  was  able  to  rally,  with  such  expedition,  a  defeated 
army,  restore  a  battle  which,  to  all  appearances,  had  been 
irretrievably  lost,  put  new  life  and  order  into  disorgan 
ized  troops,  and  change  defeat  into  victory,  betokened 
the  possession  of  a  personal  power,  to  a  degree  hitherto 
unsuspected.  He  was  well  supported  by  his  command, 
but  he  was,  in  all  respects,  its  commander,  and  to  his  fine 
leadership  the  results  were  mainly  due.  His  famous  ride 
from  Winchester  to  the  battlefield  near  Cedar  Creek  has 
been  the  subject  both  of  poetry  and  art 

While  the  battle  was  in  progress  a  portion  of  Edwards's 
brigade  was  engaged  in  arresting  and  turning  back  the 
fugitives  from  the  field.  The  Second  and  the  5th  Wis 
consin  occupied  the  town  and,  under  command  of  Cap 
tain  Rhodes,  guarded  the  trains  —  nearly  two  thousand 
wagons.  Some  rebel  cavalry  were  hovering  about  the 
town,  evidently  watching  an  opportunity  to  strike.  But 
intelligence  of  the  victory  of  the  afternoon  soon  disposed 
of  them,  and  on  the  following  day  the  usual  quiet  was 
resumed.  The  wounded  and  some  of  the  dead  were 
brought  down  from  the  front. 

Captain  Young  had  been  serving  through  most  of  the 
recent  operations  on  Colonel  Edwards's  staff.  He  now. 
attracted  the  attention  of  General  Sheridan  by  a  daring 
exploit,  which  transferred  him  at  once  to  the^active  arid 
adventurous  service,  in  which  he  subsequently  won  a 
marked  and  enviable  distinction.  Some  time  in  the  early 
autumn,  while  the  brigade  was  at  Winchester,  the  enemy 


1864.]      END   OF  THE   SHENANDOAH   CAMPAIGN'.  309* 

made  a  detached  movement  around  the  right  of  our  army,, 
threatening  Winchester  and  Hancock.  The  object  of 
the  expedition  was  somewhat  obscure,  and  Sheridan 
could  gain  no  accurate  or  satisfactory  information  from 
the  scouts  whom  he  sent  out.  He  applied  to  Colonel 
Edwards,  and  instructed  him  to  use  every  endeavor  to- 
penetrate  the  design  of  the  movement,  placing  the  secret 
service  fund  at  his  disposal.  Captain  Young  at  once- 
volunteered  to  obtain  the  required  knowledge.  He  asked 
only  for  a  detail  of  three  picked  men  and  four  rebel 
uniforms.  Putting  himself  and  his  little  detachment 
into  the  grey  costume,  and  stealing  quietly  out  of  the- 
city,  he  made  his  way  into  the  enemy's  lines,  and,  by  his. 
tact,  adroitness  and  skillful  management  of  his  resources,, 
gained  the  desired  information,  and  in  less  than  twenty- 
four  hours'  time  was  back  again,  with  his  report.  The- 
whole  matter  was  at  once  laid  before  Sheridan,  who- 
immediately  claimed  his  services.  "I  must  have  that 
man,"  said  he.  "I  have  been  looking  for  him  for  the 
last  two  years."  Captain  Young,  promoted  to  major,. 
October  12th,  was  transferred  to  Sheridan's  staff.  Here- 
he  became  chief  of  scouts.  Sheridan  gave  him  authority 
to  select  from  the  army  a  hundred  picked  men,  of  whom 
he  was  to  have  the  sole  command,  going  whithersoever 
he  would,  and  acting  entirely  according  to  his  own 
discretion.  This  adventurous  and  exciting  duty  suited 
him  better  than  the  details  of  field  service,  and  he  left 
the  command  of  the  infantry  with  Captain  Rhodes. 
His  scouting  parties  were  extremely  well  organized  and 
instructed,  and  proved  of  great  service  to  General  Sheri 
dan  in  his  subsequent  operations  —  as  will  appear  in  the- 
course  of  the  narrative. 

The  casualties  in  the  Regiment,  during  the  period  now 
under  survey,  had  not  been  so  severe  as  though  it  had 


310  THE   VETERANS.  [Oct., 

engaged  in  the  operations  farther  up  the  valley.  Its  stay 
in  Winchester  had  restored  the  wounded  men,  except  in 
a  few  instances.  Lieutenant  Prentiss,  who  had  been  left 
in  Washington,  did  not  recover  so  fully  as  was  expected, 
and  he  was  accordingly  discharged,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate,  October  31st.  Corporals  Thomas  Parker  and 
John  G.  Grinnell  of  B  were  wounded  on  the  19th  of 
September.  The  latter  died  of  his  wounds  on  the  5th  of 
October.  Sergeant  J.  M.  Wood  of  C,  who  was  wounded 
severely  at  Brightwood,  July  12th,  was  discharged,  January 
1st,  1865.  Sergeant  John  Lawrence  of  0  was  wounded 
on  the  19th  of  September,  and  was  transferred  to  the 
veteran  reserve  corps  on  the  18th  of  the  following  Jan 
uary.  From  the  beginning  of  June  to  the  end  of  Sep 
tember,  besides  those  already  mentioned,  five  men  died, 
two  of  them  from  wounds.  Eleven  men,  during  the 
same  period,  were  captured,  of  whom  two  died  in  the 
Southern  prison  camps.  The  following  promotions  were 
made:  August  1st,  Adjutant  Smith  to  brevet  captain; 
Second  Lieutenant  Easterbrook  to  first  lieutenant;  Sep 
tember  9th,  Quartermaster-Sergeant  11.  W.  Small  to  first 
lieutenant  and  quartermaster;  13th,  Sergeant  Halliday  of 
C  to  first  lieutenant;  19th,  Sergeant  C.  E.  Perkins  of  C 
to  second  lieutenant;  October  1st,  Second  Lieutenant 
Gleason  of  B  to  first  lieutenant,  and  Sergeant  David 
Small  of  B  to  second  lieutenant,  both  for  gallant  conduct 
at  the  battle  of  Winchester,  for  which  also  they  were 
brevetted  captain,  to  date  from  September  19th;  Sergeant 
W.  H.  Perry  of  C  to  second  lieutenant  of  A.  September 
24th,  First  Lieutenant  S.  B.  Russell  of  C  was  discharged. 
Among  the  warrant  officers  the  following  promotions  are 
noted:  September  23rd,  Corporal  T.  E.  Jones  of  A  to 
quartermaster-sergeant;  October  1st,  Sergeant  S.  W.  Wat 
son  of  A  to  first  sergeant;  November  8th,  Sergeant  J. 


1864.]      END   OF  THE   SHENANDOAH    CAMPAIGN.  311 

McKay  of  A  to  sergeant-major, —  the  two  last-named 
having  been  previously  promoted  from  corporal  —  and 
Corporal  W.  C.  Lawton  to  sergeant.  Corporals  Bullock 
of  A  and  Arnold  of  C  were  promoted  to  sergeant. 

At  home  recruiting  was  going  on  with  good  success, 
and  reports  reached  camp  that  another  company  was  soon 
to  be  added  to  the  command.  On  the  31st  of  October 
Company  D  was  mustered  at  Providence,  and  in  the 
course  of  the  next  two  weeks  the  company  joined  the 
Regiment.  Its  officers  were  Captain  Stephen  Thurber, 
formerly  first  lieutenant  in  the  Tenth  Rhode  Island,  who 
was  commissioned,  October  14th,  and  First  Lieutenant 
Benjamin  G.  West,  commissioned  on  the  31st.  Its  non 
commissioned  officers  were  Sergeants  (first)  Edwin  F. 
Steere,  Oren  S.  Mowry,  Frederic  A.  White,  James  Red 
ding  and  Hiram  N.  Swift;  Corporals  Lewis  S.  Gardiner, 
Edward  D.  Vallett,  Peter  Hackett,  Albert  Langley, 
George  Mowry,  David  K.  W.  Briggs,  John  Haslam  and 
Patrick  H.  Brady. 


312  THE   VETERANS.  [Oct., 


NOTE    TO   CHAPTER   IV, 


GENERAL  Sheridan's  ride,  as  stated  in  the  text,  attracted  the 
attention  of  writers  throughout  the  country.  Mr.  T.  Buchanan 
Read's  poem  is  given,  as  an  illustration  of  the  event,  at  once 
stirring  and  patriotic.  It  won  for  its  author  considerable  com 
mendation  at  the  time,  and  has  an  additional  interest  in  the 
sympathy  awakened  by  the  comparatively  recent  death  of  the 
gentle  and  gifted  man,  whose  two-fold  genius  was  shown  upon 
the  canvas  and  the  pages  of  our  national  literature. 


SHERIDAN'S  RIDE. 

Up  from  the  south  at  break  of  day, 
Bringing  to  Winchester  fresh  dismay, 
The  affrighted  air  with  a  shndder  bore, 
Like  a  herald  in  haste,  to  the  chieftain's  door, 
The  terrible  grumble,  and  rumble,  and  roar, 
Telling  the  battle  was  on  once  more, 
And  Sheridan  twenty  miles  away. 

And  wider  still  those  billows  of  war 

Thundered  along  the  horizon's  bar. 

And  louder  yet  into  Winchester  rolled 

The  roar  of  that  red  sea  uncontrolled, 

Making  the  blood  of  the  listener  cold, 

As  he  thought  of  the  stake  in  that  fiery  fray, 

And  Sheridan  twenty  miles  away. 

But  there  is  a  road  from  Winchester  town, 

A  good  broad  highway  leading  down  ; 

And  there,  through  the  flush  of  the  morning  light, 

A  steed  as  black  as  the  steeds  of  night 

Was  seen  to  pass,  as  with  eagle  flight ; 


ISG-i.]  XOTE   TO    CHAPTER   IV.  313 

As  if  he  knew  the  terrible  need, 
He  stretched  away  with  his  utmost  speed; 
Hills  rose  and  fell;  but  his  heart  was  gay, 
With  Sheridan  fifteen  miles  away. 

Still  sprung  from  those  swift  hoofs,  thundering  south. 

The  dust,  like  smoke  from  the  cannon's  mouth, 

Or  the  trail  of  a  comet,  sweeping  faster  and  faster, 

Foreboding  to  traitors  the  doom  of  disaster. 

The  heart  of  the  steed  and  the  heart  of  the  master 

Were  beating  like  prisoners  assaulting  their  walls, 

Impatient  to  be  where  the  battlefield  calls; 

Every  nerve  of  the  charger  was  strained  to  full  play, 

With  Sheridan  only  ten  miles  away. 

Under  his  spurning  feet  the  road 

Like  an  arrowy  Alpine  river  flowed, 

And  the  landscape  sped  away  behind, 

Like  an  ocean  fiying  before  the  wind; 

And  the  steed,  like  a  bark  fed  with  furnace  ire, 

fiwept  oft',  with  his  wild  eye  full  of  fire. 

But  lo!  he  is  nearing  his  heart's  desire; 

He  is  snuffing  the  smoke  of  the  roaring  fray, 

With  Sheridan  only  five  miles  away. 

The  first  that  the  general  saw  were  the  groups 
Of  stragglers,  and  then  the  retreating  troops. 
What  was  done?  what  to  do?    A  glance  told  him  both; 
Then,  striking  his  spurs,  with  a  terrible  oath, 
He  dashed  down  the  line  'mid  a  storm  of  huzzas, 
And  the  wave  of  retreat  checked  its  course  there,  because 
The  sight  of  the  master  compelled  it  to  pause. 
With  foam  and  with  dust  the  black  charger  was  grey; 
By  the  flash  of  his  eye,  and  the  red  nostril's  play, 
He  seemed  to  the  whole  great  army  to  say: 
w  I  have  brought  you  Sheridan  all  the  way 
From  Winchester  down  to  save  the  day!  " 

Hurrah!  hurrah  for  Sheridan ! 

Hurrah!  hurrah  for  horse  and  man! 

And  when  their  statues  are  placed  on  high, 

Under  the  dome  of  the  Union  sky, 

The  American  soldier's  Temple  of  Fame, 

There  with  the  glorious  general's  name, 

Be  it  said,  in  letters  both  bold  and  bright, 

"  Here  is  the  steed  that  saved  the  day, 
By  carrying  Sheridan  into  the  fight. 

From  Winchester,  twenty  miles  away!" 
•27 


314  THE    VETERAN-.  [Oct., 

A  portion  of  General  Early1  s  address  to  his  defeated  army  is  also 
appended,  as  a  part  of  the  history  of  this  campaign.  It  is  dated 
October  22nd,  and  speaks  in  very  plain,  but  sufficiently  graphic, 
prose  of  the  causes  of  the  rout.  "  I  had  hoped,"  says  the  general, 
•"  to  have  congratulated  you  on  the  splendid  victory  won  by  you 
on  the  morning  of  the  19th  at  Belle  Grove,  on  Cedar  creek,  when 
_you  surprised  and  routed  two  corps  of  Sheridan's  army,  and  drove 
back  several  miles  the  remaining  corps,  capturing  eighteen  pieces 
of  artillery,  fifteen  hundred  prisoners,  a  number  of  colors,  a  large 
quantity  of  small  arms,  and  many  wagons  and  ambulances,  with 
the  entire  camps  of  the  two  routed  corps;  but  I  have  the  mortifica 
tion  of  announcing  to  you  that,  by  your  subsequent  misconduct, 
all  the  benefits  of  that  victory  were  lost,  and  a  serious  disaster 
incurred. 

"  Had  you  remained  steadfast  to  your  duty  and  your  colors,  the 
victory  would  have  been  one  of  the  most  brilliant  and  decisive  of 
the  war;  you  would  have  gloriously  retrieved  the  reverses  at 
AVinchester  and  Fisher's  Hill,  and  entitled  yourselves  to  the 
admiration  of  your  countiy.  But  many  of  you,  including  some 
commissioned  officers,  yielding  to  a  disgraceful  propensity  for 
plunder,  deserted  your  colors  to  appropriate  to  yourselves  the 
•abandoned  property  of  the  enemy,  and  subsequently  those  who 
had  previously  remained  at  their  posts,  seeing  their  ranks  thinned 
by  the  absence  of  the  plunderers,  when  the  enemy,  late  in  the 
afternoon,  with  his  shattered  columns  made  but  a  feeble  effort  to 
retrieve  the  fortunes  of  the  day,  yielded  to  a  needless  panic,  and 
fled  the  field  in  confusion,  thereby  converting  a  splendid  victory 
into  a  disaster. 

"Had  any  respectable  number  of  yon  listened  to  the  appeals 
made  to  you  and  made  a  stand,  even  at  the  last  moment,  the 
disaster  would  have  been  averted  and  the  substantial  fruits  of 
victory  secured;  but,  under  the  insane  dread  of  being  flanked  and 
a  panic-stricken  terror  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  you  would  listen  to 
no  appeal,  threat  or  order,  and  allowed  a  small  body  of  cavalry  to 
penetrate  to  our  train  and  carry  off  a  number  of  pieces  of  artillery 
and  wagons,  which  your  disorder  left  unprotected.  You  have 
thus  obscured  that  glorious  fame  won  in  conjunction  with  the 
gallant  men  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  who  still  remain 
proudly  defiant  in  the  trenches  around  Richmond  and  Petersburg. 
Before  you  can  again  claim  them  as  comrades  you  will  have  to 


1864.]  NOTE   TO   CHAPTER   IV.  315 

erase  from  your  escutcheons  the  blemishes  which  now  obscure 
them;  and  this  you  can  do  if  you  will  be  but  true  to  your  former 
reputation,  your  country  and  your  homes/' 

General  Sheridan's  losses,  according  to  the  official  reports,  were 
24  pieces  of  artillery  (afterwards  recaptured),  4GO  rounds  of  ammu 
nition,  1849  small  arms,  I2DO  rounds  of  ammunition  for  the  same, 
359  horses  and  564  mules.  His  casualties  numbered  1938  killed, 
11,893  wounded,  and  3121  missing.  Besides  the  prisoners  and 
material  already  enumerated,  his  army  captured  and  destroyed 
1200  barns,  435,802  bushels  of  wheat,  77,170  bushels  of  corn, 
20,000  bushels  of  oats,  20,397  tons  of  hay,  10,918  beeves,  12,000 
sheep,  15,000  swine,  and  12,000  pounds  of  bacon  and  ham. 


3 1C  THE   VETERANS.  [Ocfc.>. 


CHAPTER    V. 

RETURN   TO   PETERSBURG. 


FTER  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  General  Sheridan 
had  in  contemplation  the  immediate  return  of  the- 
1  «  Sixth  Corps  to  the  lines  in  front  of  Petersburg.  But 
it  was  deemed  best,  on  the  whole,  that  this  command 
should  stay  in  the  valley  for  five  or  six  weeks  longer,, 
until  it  should  be  conclusively  shown,  that  the  enemy's 
power  was  entirely  broken.  Early  fixed  his  headquarters 
at  New  Market,  and  there  intrenched.  He  had  his 
cavalry  out  on  observation,  and  there  were  occasional 
skirmishes  between  his  parties  and  our  own.  A  few  of 
our  officers  were  captured  —  among  them  General  Duffic,. 
formerly  colonel  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry. 
Mosby  and  other  partisans  were  scouring  the  country, 
picking  up  estrays.  Sheridan  says,  that  he  took  no  active 
measures  against  them,  as  they  acted  as  a  provost  guard 
for  him,  and  prevented  straggling.  The  month  of  Octo- 
'ber  wore  away,  and  our  troops  received  their  winter 
supply  of  clothing  and  camp  equipage.  The  weather- 
came  on  cold  and  threatening.  The  mountains  around 
the  encampment  were  covered  with  snow,  and  the  winds; 


1804.  J  RETURN   TO    PETERSBU  R« ;.  317 

swept  down  upon  the  plains  with  winter  in  their  breath. 
The  soldiers  began  to  talk  of  winter  quarters.  But  neither 
army  was  disposed  to  make  the  first  movement  in  that 
direction. 

•The  Second  remained  comfortably  at  Winchester,  and 
Captain  Rhodes  made  preparations  for  building  a  hut. 
The  men  were  at  work  upon  it  when,  on  the  28th,  he 
received  orders,  with  the  brigade  —  Colonel  Bassett  now 
commanding  —  to  join  his  division  at  the  front.  On  the 
29th  he  started  with  the  Regiment  —  his  drums  and  fifes 
playing  "Oh,  carry  me  back  to  Old  Virginny,"  "Glory, 
Hallelujah,"  and  other  tunes  painful  to  the  disloyal  ear 
—  and  at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  arrived  at  camp 
and  reported  at  division  headquarters.  The  Sixth  was- 
stationed  near  Middletown.  General  Wheaton  was  glad 
to  welcome  the  Second  into  his  command,  and  rode 
over,  on  the  day  of  its  arrival,  to  greet  his  "old 
boys." 

The  Regiment  did  not  remain  long  at  Middletown. 
On  the  9th  of  November  Sheridan  moved  the  entire  army 
down  the  valley,  and  went  into  camp  near  Kearnstown,, 
about  three  miles  to  the  south  of  Winchester.  The 
camps  were  much  better  situated  than  at  the  position 
previously  occupied.  The  "oak  grove  with  plenty  of 
wood"  was  a  grateful  exchange  for  the  open,  wind-swept 
plain.  The  neighborhood  of  Winchester  was  almost  like 
home,  and  the  officers  were  glad  of  an  opportunity  to 
make  occasional  visits  to  their  old  friends  in  the  citv. 
The  withdrawal  of  Sheridan  emboldened  Early  to  advance. 
He  came  as  far  as  the  north  side  of  Cedar  creek,  on  the 
night  of  the  llth,  and  sent  his  cavalry  down  to  Kearns- 
town  on  the  12th,  causing  our  men  to  stand  to  their  arms 
through  the  day.  But  no  damage  was  done  beyond  the 
exchange  of  occasional  shots.  At  night  our  own  cavalry 
27* 


318  THE    VETERANS.  [NOV.,, 

went  out,  and,  attacking  the  enemy's  troopers,  succeeded 
in  picking  up  a  few  hundred  prisoners  and  two  or  three- 
pieces  of  artillery.  Early  hastily  withdrew  his  main  body 
the  same  night,  and  the  valley  was  once  more  tranquil. 
The  space  between  the  armies  was  a  scene  of  devastation, 
and  a  forward  movement  upon  either  side  was  considered 
impracticable.  As  winter  approached,  the  severe  temper 
ature  in  the  valley  forbade  hostilities,  and  both  armies, 
prepared  to  make  themselves  comfortable  in  the  positions 
which  they  held. 

The  daily  routine  in  the  brigade  was  broken  on  the- 
22nd  by  an  order  to  march  to  Martinsburg,  as  escort  for 
a  train  which  was  proceeding  thither.  The  command 
marched  to  Winchester  in  the  afternoon,  and,  being 
without  tents,  bivouacked  in  the  streets  and  houses. 
The  next  day  the  march  was  resumed,  and  train  and 
escort  arrived  safely  at  Martinsburg  about  dark.  The 
fields  outside  the  town  afforded  a  bivouac  around  the- 
old-fashioned  camp  fires.  It  was  very  cold  and  uncom 
fortable.  The  town,  loyal  but  small,  could  not  afford 
accommodations  for  so  many  unexpected  visitors,  and 
though  every  thing  possible  was  done  by  the  citizens,  the- 
men  suffered  considerably  during  their  stay.  An  arrival 
of  an  abundant  consignment  of  Rhode  Island  turkeys, 
helped  to  make  Thanksgiving  pass  pleasantly.  The  men 
were  well  fed,  if  not  well  housed. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  days  the  brigade  returned  to 
Kearnstown,  where  the  Regiment  found  Company  D, 
which  had  arrived  on  the  26th,  and  had  gone  into  camp 
near  headquarters.  Captain  Thurber  left  Providence  on 
the  IGth,  on  the  19th  arrived  at  Bolivar  Heights,  and  on 
the  26th  proceeded  to  encamp,  arriving  in  the  midst  of  a> 
heavy  rain,  about  9  o'clock  in  the  evening.  The  com 
mand  numbered  in  all  85  officers  and  men.  Xo  long 


18G4.]  RETl'RX   TO    PETERSBURG.  319 

stay  was  made.  As  soon  as  the  brigade  returned  from 
Martinsburg  the  Sixtli  Corps  was  ordered  to  Petersburg. 
The  corps  left  Kearnstown  on  the  1st  of  December,  went 
by  rail  to  Washington,  and  on  the  2nd  embarked.  The 
Second,  with  the  82nd  Pennsylvania,  went  on  board  the 
transport  City  of  Albany.  The  passage  was  made  with 
out  incident,  and  on  the  4th  the  corps  landed  at  City 
Point,  went  b}  rail  to  Parke  Station,  and  was  immediately 
assigned  position  in  the  intrench ments  near  the  Weldoii 
railroad.  The  Second,  with  the  brigade,  was  stationed 
between  Fort  Battery  Six  and  Fort  Wadsworth.  The 
troops  were  well  hutted,  and  found  very  comfortable 
quarters  in  the  lines.  The  sound  of  the  enemy's  guns 
had  not  been  heard  for  some  weeks  in  the  valley,  and  the 
perpetual  cannonade  and  crack  of  rifle  recalled  the  old 
associations  to  the  newly  arrived  corps.  There  was  not 
much  firing  in  the  immediate  front  of  the  Sixth,  but 

there  were 

"  Cannon  to  right  of  them, 
Cannon  to  left  of  them," 

and  these  were  scarcely  silent  night  and  day. 

On  the  9th  the  1st  and  3rd  divisions  of  the  Sixth  Corps 
were  ordered  to  support  General  Miles  of  the  Second 
Corps  in  a  reconnoissauce  toward  Hatcher's  Run.  The 
movement  itself  was  intended  as  a  diversion  in  aid  of 
General  Warren,  who  was  operating  with  the  Fifth  and  a 
part  of  the  Second  Corps,  with  cavalry,  near  Sussex 
Court  House,  about  thirty  miles  to  the  south  of  Peters 
burg.  The  troops  marched  in  the  midst  of  a  severe 
storm  of  rain,  sleet  and  snow,  and  about  midnight  went 
into  bivouac  in  a  piece  of  woods,  near  the  run.  The 
storm  increased  in  severity  every  mile  of  the  way,  and 
when  the  halt  was  made  the  men  were  "nearly  dead  with 
cold."  It  was  altogether  the  severest  weather  of  the 


320  THE   VETERAXS.  [Dec., 

season.  Of  course  there  were  no  tents  or  other  means  of 
shelter.  Fires  were  built,  but  were  of  little  avail  in 
mitigating  the  rigor  of  the  air.  Men  and  officers  walked 
about  or  sat  down  in  the  snow,  wet,  cold  and  miserable, 
and  wished  for  the  day.  The  light,  however,  was  no 
better  than  the  darkness,  except  that  the  storm  had 
abated  —  leaving  the  snow  upon  the  ground  and  the  trees 
covered  with  ice.  Down  into  a  swamp,  and  into  line  of 
battle  there,  the  command  marched,  to  stay  through  the 
day  and  to  leave  at  nightfall,  with  the  rebel  bullets 
whistling  around  the  rear  of  the  column.  Scarcely  had 
the  division  reached  its  old  camp  when  it  was  ordered  to 
move  up  to  the  position  of  Potter's  division  of  the  Ninth 
Corps,  which  had  gone  out  to  the  direct  aid  of  Warren. 
On  the  clearing  of  the  storm  a  milder  temperature  pre 
vailed,  and  the  mud  and  water  were  now  almost  knee 
deep.  The  command  moved  into  the  log  huts  of  Potter's 
encampment,  near  Fort  Sedgwick,  which  were  not  of  the 
most  inviting  character.  Here  our  men  remained  until 
the  evening  of  the  llth,  when  Potter  returned,  permit 
ting  them  to  seek  again  the  .comfortable  shelter  of  their 
own  huts.  The  Regiment  arrived  back  about  midnight, 
and,  after  three  days  and  two  nights  of  such  exposure, 
found  the  rest  and  sleep,  which  it  had  earned,  most 
grateful  and  refreshing. 

The  most  notable  subsequent  event  to  the  Regiment  in 
the  month  of  December  was  the  arrival  of  Company  F 
from  Rhode  Island.  Its  commissioned  and  warrant 
officers  were  Captain  John  A.  Jeffrey,  First  Lieutenant 
Frank  M.  Gould,  Sergeants  (first)  Charles  E.  Turner, 
Thomas  McKay,  William  II.  Colvin,  Lewis  L.  Sayles 
and  Robert  O'Neill,  Corporals  Frederic  N.  Devoll,  Francis 
McTierney,  Samuel  Ash  ton,  William  B.  Greene,  George 
E.  Elliott,  John  Read,  Stephen  Shaw  and  Stephen 


1804.]  RETURN   TO    PETERSBURG. 

Phetteplace.  Besides  these  were  two  musicians,  one- 
wagoner  and  67  enlisted  men.  The  company  arrived 
about  midnight  of  the  24th,  as  the  festivities  of  Christ 
mas  eve  at  headquarters  in  camp  were  drawing  to  an  end. 
Captain  Rhodes  and  officers  had  been  serenaded,  and  the 
men  had  interchanged  visits  with  their  comrades  of  the 
37th  Massachusetts.  The  new  recruits  entered  the  service 
under  happy  auspices,  and  were  at  once  made  comfortable- 
in  their  company  quarters. 

On  the  morning  of  the  31st  Captain  Thurber's  diary 
mentions  the  fact  of  a  raid  by  the  enemy  upon  the  picket 
line,  and  it  is  recorded  here,  as  an  indication  of  the  state 
of  the  commissariat  in  Petersburg.  "The  ' Johnnies/ 
about  300  strong,  in  two  parties,  crept  up  through  the 
woods,  and,  under  cover  of  the  darkness  —  it  was  about 
5  o'clock  in  the  morning  —  overpowered  the  videttes, 
who  gave  up  to  them  without  firing  their  pieces  or 
alarming  the  rest.  Then  rushing  in  and  firing,  they 
wounded  three  men  and  captured  twenty-one,  taking  al) 
the  haversacks  they  could  find,  which  seemed  to  be  the- 
object  of  the  raid.  It  was  pitch  dark  and  raining  at  the 
time.  They  left  as  quick  as  they  came,  and  the  picket 
line  was  established  as  before." 

An  affair  of  more  personal  interest  to  Captain  Rhodes 
was  his  brevet  of  major,  to  date  from  the  5th.  He  had 
received  warm  commendations  from  General  Wheaton  — 
who  had  himself  been  brevetted  major-general  —  and 
Colonel  Bassett,  the  commander  of  his  brigade.  The- 
documents,  as  submitted  to  the  authorities,  speak  of 
Captain  Rhodes's  "tact,  energy  and  efficiency"  in  man 
aging  the  affairs  of  his  Regiment*  and  his  "'conspicuous 


*He  lost  but  thirteen  men  by  desertion  during  the  seven  months  from  June,. 
1864,  to  January,  1865. 


322  THE   VETERANS.  [Dec., 

gallantry  in  the  field."  As  he  had  now  six  companies 
under  his  command,  his  promotion  was  but  an  act  of 
justice.  There  had  been  some  talk  in  Rhode  Island  of 
appointing  a  full  colonel  to  the  Regiment,  but,  as  that 
required  a  full  regiment  also,  it  led  to  no  result  but  a 
little  uneasiness  in  the  camp.  The  six  months'  service, 
which  Captain  Rhodes  had  rendered  in  his  somewhat 
difficult  and  harassing  position,  had  been  faithfully  per 
formed,  and  his  majority  was  well  earned.  It  is  needless 
to  say,  that  his  promotion  gave  great  satisfaction  to  his 
friends  in  the  army.  Captain  Thurbcr  had  been  detailed 
as  field  officer,  and  during  the  month  had  acted  in  that 
capacity  upon  the  march  and  on  picket  duty.  First 
Lieutenant  Gleason  of  A  was  brevetted  captain,  to  date 
from  September  19th;  Second  Lieutenant  David  Small 
of  B  was  brevetted  captain,  to  date  from  September  19th, 
and  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  November  29th;  First 
Lieutenant  Easterbrook  of  B  to  captain  of  A,  and 
Second  Lieutenant  Perkins  of  C  to  first  lieutenant, 
December  5th. 

Other  promotions  and  changes  were  as  follows :  Novem 
ber  29th,  Sergeant  Elisha  Arnold  of  C  to  second  lieuten 
ant  of  B,  and  Corporal  Jeremiah  Tourjee  of  C  to  second 
lieutenant  of  D;  December  5th,  Sergeant  W.  II.  Bullock 
of  A  to  second  lieutenant  of  C;  16th,  Corporals  J.  A. 
King  and  T.  W.  D.  Lewis  of  C  to  sergeant;  September 
1st,  private  B.  M.  Hall  of  B  to  principal  musician; 
November  1st,  private  Samuel  B.  Knight,  20th,  private 
Joseph  Grille,  December  2nd,  private  C.  A.  Godfrey,  all 
of  B,  to  corporal;  no  date,  private  Zaccheus  Chase  of  A 
to  corporal.  The  following  were  discharged:  October 
ttlst,  First  Lieutenant  Prentiss  of  A;  August  1st,  Sergeant 
Bates  of  A,  Corporals  Anderson,  Pcrseche  and.Moffitt, 
of  C,  Wright,  Rathbun  and  Williams,  of  B;  October 


KETUKX   TO    PKTEK.SI5URG.  323 

12th,  Corporal  McCaffrey  of  B;  19th,  Corporal  Campbell 
of  A;  November  3rd,  Corporal  Kingman  of  C;  15th, 
Corporal  Kellogg  of  A;  December  20th,  Corporal  Black- 
nmn  of  B.  October  5th,  died  Corporal  J.  G.  Grinnell 
of  B,  of  wounds  received  in  the  battle  of  Winchester. 
The  year  1804  was  at  an  end. 


324  THE   VETERANS.  [Dec., 


CHAPTER    VI. 

THE  SHADOW  OF  COMING  EVENTS. 


URING  the  time  while  the  Sixth  Corps  was  absent 
from  the  lines  in  front  of  Petersburg,  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  had  been  engaged  in  completing  the 
investment  of  that  city.  The  position  was  favorable, 
even  if  nothing  more  was  done  than  to  keep  a  strict, 
unbroken,  vigilant  watch  upon  General  Lee  and  his 
army.  For  this  army  was  kept  also  upon  the  Avatch,  and 
no  considerable  portion  conld  be  detached  to  operate  in 
other  parts  of  the  country.  Grant  did  not  relax  his  hold 
upon  his  antagonist  for  a  moment.  He  was  perpetually 
looking  for  an  opportunity  to  tighten  his  grasp,  and 
•complete  his  work.  So  he  moved  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  now  upon  this  point,  now  upon  that,  keeping 
the  enemy  upon  the  alert,  and  making  preparations  for 
the  final  assault.  He  kept  Butler  upon  the  banks  of  the 
James,  demonstrating  occasionally  toward  Richmond, 
while  Meade  was  active  against  Petersburg  itself.  Mean 
while,  Sherman,  having  fought  his  way  down  to  Atlanta, 
•captured  and  occupied  that  place  on  the  2nd  of  Septem 
ber.  He  remained  there  until  the  14th  of  November, 
when  he  commenced  his  famous  march  to  the  sea, 


1864.]  THE   SHADOW   OF  COMIXG    EVENTS.  325 

arriving  at  Savannah  and  occupying  that  city  on  the  21st 
of  December.  General  Hood,  the  immediate  foe  of 
Sherman,  by  some  strange  infatuation  was  induced  to 
attempt  the  invasion  of  Tennessee.  General  Thomas, 
ably  seconded  by  General  Schofield,  awaited  his  approach 
at  Nashville,  and  there,  on  the  15th  of  December,  met, 
fought,  defeated  and  routed  him  so  decisively  and  com 
pletely  as  to  destroy  all  apprehension  of  the  enemy's 
making  any  further  hostile  movement  in  that  quarter. 

In  front  of  Petersburg  one  of  the  most  notable  events 
of  the  summer  was  the  explosion  of  a  mine  in  front  of 
the  Ninth  Corps,  on  the  30th  of  June.  "It  promised," 
says  General  Grant,  in  his  report,  "to  be  the  most 
successful  assault  of  the  season."  But,  from  causes 
which  it  is  not  necessary  to  detail  here,  it  ended  in 
disaster.*  Successive  attempts  to  extend  our  lines  south 
ward  were  made  during  the  remainder  of  the  summer 
and  the  autumn.  A  portion  of  the  Weldon  railroad  fell 
into  the  hands  of  General  Meade's  army;  a  branch  rail 
road  was  built  from  the  City  Point  and  Petersburg  rail 
road,  by  which  our  camps  were  supplied;  engagements 
more  or  less  important  in  their  character  took  place  at 
Reams's  Station,  Hatcher's  Run,  and  other  points  on  our 
left  flank.  The  result  of  these  was  the  gradual  extension 
of  our  lines  so  as  to  aiford  an  opportunity,  when  the 
•spring  should  open,  to  repeat  the  manoeuvres  of  the 
previous  summer.  Thus,  on  the  1st  of  January,  1865, 
military  affairs  throughout  the  country  wore  an  aspect, 
which  promised  the  termination  of  the  war  at  no  long- 
distant  day.  The  nation  was  not  so  sanguine  as  in  the 
early  part  of  1864,  but  yet  it  had  expressed  its  confidence 


*Full  particulars  are  given  in  «•  Burnsidc  and  the  Ninth  Army  Corps,"  pp. 
418-450. 
28 


32-G  THE   VETERANS.  [Jail., 

in  the  administration  of  the  government,  by  the  reelection 
•of  President  Lincoln  in  November,  and  now,  without 
manifesting  any  undue  eagerness,  looked  forward  to  final 
success. 

New  Year's  day  was  signalized  in  the  camp  of  the 
Second  Regiment  by  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Amos  D. 
Smith,  3rd,  bearing  a  set  of  new  colors  which  the  state 
had  ordered  and  prepared  for  Major  Rhodes's  command. 
When  the  old  Regiment  returned  home  it  carried  its 
colors  to  Rhode  Island,  and  the  reorganized  battalion 
liad  gone  through  its  battles  and  marches  without  its 
proper  flags.  The  arrival  of  the  colors  was  hailed  with 
enthusiasm  and  delight.  They  consisted  of  a  state  flag, 
bearing  the  arms  of  Rhode  Island  and  the  designation  of 
the  Regiment,  an  United  States  flag  and  two  guidons, 
one  red,  the  other  blue,  bearing  the  name  "  Second  R. 
I.  V."  upon  them  in  gilt  letters.  They  were  a  most 
acceptable  and  appropriate  recognition  of  the  good  service 
done  by  the  gallant  body  of  men  who  received  them,  and 
now  felt,  that  they  were  a  Regiment  indeed. 

On  the  2nd  the  presentation  took  place.  The  Regi 
ment  was  formed  with  ranks  opened,  arms  at  present, 
and  drums  beating  a  march  as  the  colors  were  received. 
Colonel  Smith  then  stepped  forward  and  addressed  Major 
Rhodes  substantially  as  follows:  "These  colors  which  I 
now  hold  in  my  hands  I  have  been  directed  by  our 
honored  governor,  as  the  messenger  of  the  state  of  Rhode 
Island,  to  commit  to  you,  her  tried  and  trusted  sons. 
By  this  act,  the  presentation  of  these  bright  emblems, 
I  bear  the  greeting  and  the  blessing  of  your  mother  state. 
I  am  the  messenger  of  a  sovereign  state,  which,  in  the 
act  whereby  she  sends  me  to  you,  and  entrusts  to  you  this 
banner,  is  but  fulfilling,  not  only  her  obligations  to  her 
self,  but  to  her  band  of  sister  states.  It  is  the  nation,  it 


1865.]  THE   SHADOW   OF   COMING    EVENTS.  327 

is  the  American  people,  who  commit  to  you  this  flag. 
In  recognizing  you  as  her  soldiers,  in  sending  you  to  the 
post  of  danger,  in  putting  within  your  hands  to  float  that 
banner,  your  country  says:  'We  trust  you;  yes,  all  that 
we  hold  dear  we  leave  to  your  protection.'  Such  is  the 
confidence  of  all  your  fellow  countrymen.  They  know 
how  much  is  staked  on  your  fidelity.  They  follow  you 
with  feelings  of  deepest  interest.  Day  by  day,  and 
almost  hour  by  hour,  go  up  in  prayer  to  God  for  his 
blessing  upon  you  the  hearts  of  millions.  Your  country 
trusts  you,  because  she  sees,  from  the  record  of  your 
past,  that  you  deserve,  that  she  should  trust  you.  Another 
day,  when  from  the  toils  of  war  you  shall  come  home  to 
us,  under  the  flying  folds  of  these  bright  emblems  all 
unsullied,  then  we  will  honor  you,  we  will  praise  you,  we 
will  revere  you." 

To  these  complimentary  remarks  the  major  command 
ing  responded  in  the  following  terms:  "Colonel  Smith: 
allow  me,  sir,  in  behalf  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
Second  Ehode  Island  Volunteers,  to  thank  you,  and 
through  you,  his  excellency,  Governor  Smith,  and  the 
people  of  Rhode  Island,  for  the  beautiful  banner  which 
we  have  this  day  received  from  your  hands.  When 
called  upon  to  meet  the  enemy  we  can  again  follow  that 
glorious  emblem  of  our  national  freedom,  and  be  cheered 
by  the  motto  that  we  read  upon  our  '  bonnie  blue  flag  '- 
'Hope.'  I  assure  you,  sir,  that  we  consider  the  trust, 
sacred,  and  we  will  ever  endeavor  in  the  future,  as  in  the 
past,  to  uphold  the  honor  and  add  to  the  glory  of  the 
little  state  we  are  proud  to  call  our  home.  Sergeant 
Babcock:  you  have  been  selected  as  the  bearer  of  our 
national  flag,  as  a  reward  for  your  gallantry  in  many 
battlefields,  and  I  can  say  the  same  of  Corporal  Parkc-r, 
who  will  carry  the  state  color.  The  members  of  the 


3*28  .  THE   VETERANS.  [Jan.,. 

color-guard  have  been  selected  for  their  bravery  and 
.soldierly  bearing.  Remember,  that  I  entrust  to  your 
social  protection  these  banners,  and  hope,  that  you  will 
prove  true  to  your  trust." 

The  addresses  were  followed  by  a  dress  parade  —  the 
music  by  the  brigade  band  —  in  the  presence  of  the 
brigade  commander,  Colonel  Allen,  and  staff,  General 
Wheaton's  staff,  and  other  invited  guests.  General 
Wheaton  himself  was  prevented  by  sickness  from  attend 
ing  the  interesting  exercises.  Colonel  Smith,  having 
fulfilled  his  mission  to  the  great  satisfaction  and  pleasure 
of  his  hosts,  started  on  his  return  to  Rhode  Island  on  the 
evening  of  the  4th.  Major  Rhodes  himself  —  having 
leave  of  absence  for  eighteen  days  —  left  the  camp  on  the- 
18th  upon  a  visit  home.  Various  matters  of  importance 
connected  with  the  Regiment  demanded  his  attention  at 
the  office  of  the  state  executive.  Governor  Smith  readily 
acceded  to  his  requests  for  the  appointment  and  promo 
tion  of  officers,  and  manifested  a  zealous  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  the  men.  Major  Young  still  preferring  his. 
scouting  duty,  Major  Rhodes  was  commissioned  as  lieu 
tenant-colonel,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  such 
on  the  6th  of  February,  on  his  return  to  the  Regiment  — 
his  commission  dating  from  the  31st  of  January.  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Rhodes  found  his  command  in  the  neigh 
borhood  of  Hatcher's  Run,  whither  the  entire  army  had 
gone  to  make  another  attempt  at  flanking  the  enemy's 
line  and  forcing  the  evacuation  of  Petersburg.  A  severe 
battle  occurred,  continuing  at  intervals  through  the  6th 
and  7th.  General  Wheaton's  division  was  engaged  on 
the  7th,  losing  17  men  wounded,  and  about  50  prisoners 
from  Hubbard's  (2nd)  brigade.  The  engagement  resulted 
in  a  prolongation  of  our  line  for  a  few  miles,  and  its 
intrenchmcnt  for  a  future  point  of  departure.  The  Sixth 


1865.]  THE   SHADOW   OF   COMING    EVENTS.  320 

Corps  returned  to  its  former  position  on  the  night  of  the 
7th,  the  Regiment  reaching  its  camp  about  5  o'clock  on 
the  morning  of  the  8th.  Nothing  further  occurred  in 
which  the  Regiment  took  any  part  during  the  month  of 
February.  Deserters  came  into  our  camps  daily,  bringing- 
all  sorts  of  improbable  reports.  But  the  enemy's  lines 
still  showed  a  formidable  appearance. 

Although  the  winter  was  comparatively  quiet  for  the 
army,  so  far  as  any  great  or  important  events  were 
concerned,  yet  to  the  Regiment  it  was  a  very  busy  season. 
It  was  necessary  to  be  perpetually  upon  the  alert,  and 
vigilant  in  guarding  against  surprise.  It  was  the  daily 
custom  to  arouse  the  camp  at  3  o'clock  in  the  morning,, 
and  form  the  lines  in  rear  of  the  works,  to  remain  there 
until  sunrise,  for  the  enemy  might  come  out  at  any 
moment.  Along  the  picket  line  an  almost  constant  fire 
was  kept  up,  and  both  in  giving  and  receiving,  the  utmost 
caution  was  necessary.  At  dark  the  enemy  would  retire 
to  his  second  line  of  outposts,  and  our  own  line  would 
be  advanced  about  a  hundred  yards.  At  daylight  on  the 
next  morning  the  former  positions  would  be  reoccupied. 
Daily  drills  were  held,  and  the  Regiment  was  exercised 
in  manning  the  forts  and  earthworks.  Considerable 
work  was  also  performed  in  the  construction  of  the 
siege  batteries  and  the  extension  of  the  parallels.  The 
Regiment  was  frequently  engaged  in  picket  duty,  twenty- 
four  hours  at  a  time  without  relief,  either  in  a  body  or  in 
large  details.  At  night  many  alarms  were  given,  and  the 
men  slept  lightly,  ready  to  awake  at  the  slightest  call. 
Two  minutes  only  were  allowed  in  these  night  alarms  for 
the  troops  to  turn  out,  put  on  equipments,  form,  and  take 
their  proper  places  behind  the  works.  There  was  thus  a 
constant  strain  upon  the  men,  and  although  the  service 
was  not  exceptionally  dangerous,  it  was  excessively  ex- 
28* 


330  THE  VETERANS.  [March,. 

hausting.  The  officers  of  the  Regiment  were  actively 
employed,  in  addition  to  the  daily  routine  of  duty,  in  the 
study  of  tactics  and  the  details  of  military  movements. 
An  evening  school  for  the  purpose  was  opened  at  the 
headquarters  of  the  Regiment,  and  considerable  enthusi 
asm  was  manifested  in  the  exercises.  Daily  instruction 
was  also  given  to  the  non-commissioned  officers,  and 
nothing  was  left  undone  to  ensure  the  utmost  efficiency 
to  the  command. 

The  month  of  March  was  fruitful  in  alarms  and  skir 
mishes.  On  the  morning  of  the  9th  the  enemy  made  a* 
determined  attack  upon  the  picket  line  in  front  of  the 
Sixth  Corps,  but  was  promptly  met  and  repulsed.  A  part 
of  the  Regiment  was  on  the  line  and  engaged  in  the 
skirmish,  but  suffered  no  loss.  On  the  15th  another 
attack  was  made  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  the 
Second's  position,  and  a  brisk  affair  of  half  an  hour's 
duration  was  the  consequence.  It  happened  at  the  time 
that  a  party  of  gentlemen  and  a  lady  were  visiting  the 
camp,  and  thus  had  an  opportunity  of  witnessing  a  prac 
tical  illustration  of  the  "operations  of  the  war.  On  the 
30th  the  division  was  reviewed  by  Admiral  Porter  of  the 
United  States  navy,  and  the  spectacle  was  brilliant  and 
imposing.  On  the  23rd  a  furious  storm  broke  upon  the 
camp.  The  wind  was  fearful  in  force  and  violence, 
unroofing  the  huts  and  uprooting  trees.  The  woods  and 
slashings  took  fire,  and  the  flames  blowing  toward  the 
enemy's  lines,  forced  him  to  the  shelter  of  his  works. 

Thus  around  Petersburg  the  siege  made  its  slow  progress. 
But  elsewhere  on  the  great  field  events  were  hastening. 
General  Sherman,  on  completing  the  reduction  of  Savan 
nah,  decided,  on  instructions  from  Grant,  to  march 
northward  through  the  Carolinas.  He  started  on  the  13th 
of  January,  and,  placing  a  force  in  the  rear  of  Charleston, 


1865.]  THE   SHADOW   OF   COMING   EVENTS.  331 

at  Branchvillc,  compelled  the  evacuation  of  the  place 
where  the  rebellion  commenced,  on  the  17th  of  February. 
The  next  day  our  troops  occupied  the  city  amid  great 
enthusiasm.  On  the  same  day  Columbia  surrendered  to> 
Sherman  in  person.  Pushing  on  without  delay,  he  oc 
cupied  Fayetteville,  Xorth  Carolina,  on  the  10th  of 
March,  and  on  the  21st,  after  hard  fighting  on  the  road,, 
entered  Goldsboro',  making  a  junction  with  Schofield,. 
who  had  fought  his  way  up  from  Newbern.  Schofield* 
had  come  east  to  assist  in  the  reduction  of  the  Carolinas, 
after  Thomas's  successful  campaign  against  Hood  in 
Tennessee.  Fort  Fisher,  below  Wilmington,  had  been 
carried  by  a  very  brilliant  attack  made  under  the  direction 
of  General  D.  A.  Terry,  on  the  15th  of  January,  giving- 
us  the  control  of  Wilmington  and  the  Cape  Fear  river. 

General  Lee's  position  in  Petersburg  and  Eichmond 
was  fast  becoming  untenable.  With  Sherman  in  North 
Carolina  and  Thomas  in  East  Tennessee,  the  rebel  armies 
in  Virginia  were  feeling  the  toils  closing  around  them. 
Could  nothing  be  done  to  break  through  the  network? 
Johnston  certainly  could  not  cope  with  Sherman.  Was 
it  possible  for  Lee  and  Johnston  to  unite?  The  Army  of 
the  Potomac  would  at  once  be  upon  his  heels  if  he- 
retreated  from  Petersburg.  Perhaps,  by  one  more  des 
perate  effort  against  Grant  and  Meade's  lines,  he  might 
inflict  such  a  blow  as  would  enable  him  to  leave  without 
apprehension  of  serious  pursuit,  so  that  somewhere  m 
Western  Virginia  the  shattered  remnants  of  the  rebel 
armies  might  form  a  junction  and  possibly  prolong  the 
fight  through  another  summer.  This  seems  a  reasonable 
explanation  of  the  sortie,  on  the  25th  of  March,  made 
from  the  enemy's  lines  upon  Fort  Steadman  —  an  earth 
work  very  near  the  enemy's  centre,  occupied  by  a  portion 
of  the  Ninth  Corps. 


332  THE   VETERANS.  [March, 

The  enemy  came  out  about  4  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
and,,  possessing  himself  rapidly  and  skillfully  of  our 
picket  line  by  means  of  detached  parties,  feigning  to  be 
deserters,  made  a  sudden,  swift  and  successful  attack 
upon  the  fort  and  two  batteries  in  the  immediate  neigh 
borhood.  For  the  moment  every  thing  seemed  most 
promising  to  the  enemy,  most  threatening  to  ourselves. 
In  the  dim  twilight  it  was  difficult  to  recognize  either 
friend  or  foe.  Several  officers  and  men  of  the  Ninth 
Corps  and  the  garrisons  of  fort  and  batteries  were  quickly 
captured.  But  it  was  not  long  before  the  tables  were 
turned  upon  the  foe.  General  Parke,  in  command  of 
the  Ninth  Corps  —  and,  in  fact,  on  that  particular  morn 
ing,  of  the  entire  Army  of  the  Potomac,  during  a 
temporary  absence  of  General  Meade  —  soon  made  his 
dispositions  for  repelling  the  enemy.  His  lines  were 
formed  upon  the  front,  right  and  left  flanks  of  the  assault 
ing  column,  and,  by  vigorous  movements  and  attacks,  the 
enemy  was  met,  repulsed,  forced  back,  driven  out  of  the 
fort  and  batteries,  and  compelled  to  retire  to  his  own 
lines,  leaving  behind  him  about  two  thousand  prisoners, 
with  colors  and  a  large  number  of  small  arms.  General 
Parke  called  upon  the  other  corps  commanders  for  aid. 
Wheaton's  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  came  up,  but  the 
affair  was  nearly  over  at  the  time  of  its  arrival.  The  2nd 
and  3rd  brigades  were  in  time  for  the*fmal  attack,  and 
shared  in  the  spoils  of  the  victory.  At  9  o'clock  all  was 
quiet  once  more  within  our  lines. 

But  later  in  the  day  an  affair  took  place  which  con 
ferred  considerable  credit  upon  the  Regiment.  The  lines 
of  the  Sixth  Corps  were  advanced  for  a  reconnoissance, 
in  which  the  Second  took  part,  being  formed  upon  the 
right  flank.  A  charge  was  made  upon  the  enemy,  in 
which  many  prisoners  were  taken,  the  Second  capturing 


1865.]  THE   SHADOW   OF   COMING    EVENTS.  335 

its  share.  A  counter  attack  was  made,  for  the  purpose 
of  turning  our  flank,  but  was  so  promptly  met  by  the 
Regiment,  with  a  well-directed  volley,  as  to  break  up  the- 
enemy's  formation  and  secure  a  good  number  of  prisoners. 
One  man  in  the  Second  was  wounded.  The  Regiment 
with  other  troops  remained  through  the  greater  part  of 
the  night,  and  fortified  the  newly  acquired  ground.  On 
the  28th  Lieutenant-Colonel  Rhodes  was  out  on  the- 
picket  line  with  three  regiments  besides  his  own,  and  had 
a  slight  skirmish  with  the  enemy  in  front  of  him.  The- 
duty  of  the  month  of  March  had  been  harassing,  and  the- 
men  were  hardly  in  suitable  condition  for  the  hard  cam 
paigning  which  was  to  follow. 

The  Regiment  had  been  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of 
another  company.  First  Lieutenant  Gleason  had  been 
promoted  to  captain,  January  31st,  and  was  assigned  to- 
the  command.  His  first  lieutenant  was  William  V.  Carr 
and  his  second  was  George  B.  Peck,  Jr.  The  non 
commissioned  officers  were  Sergeants  (first)  George  F. 
Oldenburg,  David  G.  Jones,  Isaiah  B.  Monroe,  Stephen 
A.  Barry  and  William  A.  Aymer,  and  Corporals  Patrick 
Doherty,  James  H.  Waterman,  Charles  H.  Fuller,  Henry 
R.  Miller,  John  McMillan,  James  Crichton  and  George 
S.  Boutwell.  One  wagoner,  two  musicians  and  63  privates- 
made  up  the  complement  of  Company  G.  Promotions, 
were  made,  dating  from  January  31st,  of  First  Lieuten 
ants  Perkins  of  C  and  Small  of  B  to  captain  in  their 
respective  companies,  Second  Lieutenant  Perry  of  A  to> 
first  lieutenant  of  F,  Sergeant-Major  McKay  to  second 
lieutenant  of  D,  and  Sergeant  Robert  Robertson,  Jr.,  of 
B  to  second  lieutenant,  followed  by  promotion  to  first, 
lieutenant,  March  25th.  Sergeant  Sweet  of  C  was  made 
sergeant-major,  Commissary-Sergeant  Chenery  was  dis 
charged,  January  1st,  and  private  W.  W.  Burton  of  C 


334  THE  VETERANS.  [March, 

was  promoted  to  fill  the  vacancy.  Assistant  Surgeon 
Smith  obtained  a  deserved  promotion  to  surgeon,  March 
10th,  and  on  the  25th  Second  Lieutenant  Tourjee  of  D  was 
promoted  to  first  lieutenant  of  A.  Thus  were  all  prepa 
rations  made  for  the  important  movement,  the  signs  of 
which  were  multiplying  hour  by  hour. 


1865.]  THE   DEATH   GRAPPLE.  335 


CHAPTER    VII, 

THE   DEATH   GRAPPLE. 


(t)  EVERAL  attempts  had  been  made  during  the  winter 
to  bring  the  Federal  and  the  insurgent  governments 
into  council,  for  purposes  of  negotiation.  On  the 
29th  of  January  three  commissioners,  Messrs.  Stephens, 
Hunter  and  Campbell,  were  permitted  to  come  through 
our  lines.  On  the  next  day  a  long  conference  was  held 
on  board  a  steamer  in  Hampton  Roads  between  them  and 
President  Lincoln  and  Secretary  Seward,  who  had  come 
down  to  meet  them.  The  consultation  had  but  one 
result,  namely:  to  assure  the  commissioners  that  no  peace 
was  possible  except  through  submission.  The  commis 
sioners  returned  as  quietly  as  they  came.  The  effect  of 
their  visit  on  the  army  was  good,  as  it  was  accepted  for  a 
virtual  admission  of  weakness.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  again 
in  camp,  for  a  few  days,  during  the  latter  part  of  March, 
for  the  quiet  inspection  of  the  army  and  consideration  of 
General  Grant's  plans  for  the  opening  movement  of  the 
active  campaign. 

Fortunately,  too,  as  events  turned,  General  Sheridan 
rejoined  the  army  in  front  of  Petersburg.  He  had  been 
directed  by  Grant  to  move  with  cavalry  upon  Lynchburg, 


33G  THE  VETERANS.  [March, 

iind  thence  to  strike  southward,  for  the  purpose  of  joining 
Sherman.  But,  as  Sherman's  army  was  a  movable  col 
umn,  the  operations  of  Sheridan,  after  capturing  Lynch- 
burg,  were  to  be  governed  by  the  advices  and  information 
he  should  there  receive.  Sheridan  started  from  Winches 
ter  on  the  27th  of  February,  with  10,000  sabres.  Beach 
ing  Charlottesville  on  the  3rd  of  March,  after  some 
fighting,  in  which  he  took  1600  prisoners,  11  pieces  of 
•artillery  and  their  accompaniments,  he  remained  there  a 
day  or  two,  destroying  the  railroad  bridges  and  cutting 
the  lines  of  the  enemy's  communications.  Deciding 
upon  the  abandonment  of  the  attempt  upon  Lynchburg, 
and  finding  the  river  James  too  high  to  cross  his  force, 
he  finally  resolved  to  make  for  White  House,  where  he 
-arrived,  after  doing  great  damage  to  the  enemy,  on  the 
19th  of  March.  Resting  his  command,  he  left  White 
House  on  the  24th,  and  on  the  27th,  greatly  to  General 
Grant's  satisfaction,  formed  a  junction  with  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac. 

What  was  of  more  special  interest  to  the  Regiment 
was  the  fact,  that  with  Sheridan  came  Major  Young. 
He  had  won  an  excellent  reputation  and  even  renown 
throughout  the  army,  as  the  chief  of  scouts,  and  had 
become  so  valuable  to  Sheridan  that  he  could  not  be 
spared  from  that  general's  command.  From  an  interest 
ing  volume  entitled  "With  General  Sheridan  in  Lee's 
last  Campaign,"  it  is  now  time  to  quote  an  account  of 
Major  Young's  service.  "  These  scouts,"  says  our  author, 
•"were  a  fine  body  of  some  sixty  men,  selected  from  the 
•whole  cavalry  corps,  and  commanded  by  Major  H.  H. 
Y"oung  of  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Infantry,  an  excellent 
officer,  fond  of  adventure,  brave,  and  a  good  disciplina 
rian.  As  a  general  thing,  scouts  are  perfectly  worthless. 
They  are  usually  plausible  fellows,  who  go  out  to  the 


1865.]  THE   DEATH   GRAPPLE.  337 

picket  line  and  lie  on  the  ground  all  night  under  a  tree, 
and  come  back  to  headquarters  in  the  morning  and  lie 
there,  giving  wonderful  reports  about  the  enemy,  fearing 
no  contradiction.  Young's  men  were  differently  man 
aged,  and  were  of  great  service.  They  were  much  more 
afraid  of  the  general  and  of  the  major  than  they  were  of 
the  enemy,  for  the  general  has  a  way  of  cross-examining 
that  is  fatal  to  a  lie,  and,  as  Young  was  constantly  off  in 
the  enemy's  country  himself,  his  men  never  knew  but 
that  he  had  been  following  their  trail,  so  there  was  no 
use  trying  to  ( stump  up  his  eye,'  as  a  scout  would  say. 

"  These  men  had  been  with  the  major  on  several  suc 
cessful  expeditions,  and  in  some  desperate  fights.  They 
had  taken  Harry  Gilmor  out  of  his  bed  and  confiscated 
the  pistols  on  his  pillow,  without  disturbing  his  command; 
in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  they  had  swept  the  picket  line 
of  the  enemy,  and  cut  their  way  through  the  reserves, 
losing  several  killed  and  wounded  in  the  attempt.  They 
knew  the  major  and  each  other,  and  Young  knew  them, 
and  they  had  that  mutual  confidence  which  is  vital  to  a 
party  of  this  sort.  Young's  men  dressed  in  the  Confeder 
ate  uniform  habitually,  mingled  with  the  people,  told  them 
the  news  and  got  the  news  of  them  in  return,  cursed  the 
Yankees,  and  drank  stirrup-cups  of  apple-jack  to  their 
discomfiture,  warned  the  host  against  their  coming,  and 
then  rode  away,  while  one  of  the  number  quickly  slipped 
back  through  unfrequented  paths  and  communicated  the 
latest  from  the  front  to  the  general  commanding.  At 
night,  while  the  troops  rested,  Young  and  his  men  would 
be  miles  away  in  every  direction,  and  during  the  day  we 
would  pick  them  up  at  every  cross  road,  with  the  best 
intelligence  from  right  and  left.  The  men  were  well 
paid  for  this  hazardous  work,  and  the  major  was  com 
pensated  by  his  chances  of  distinction  and  the  general's 

29 


338  THE  VETERANS.  [March, 

good  opinion.  He  came  to  be  well  known  in  the  sections 
where  we  campaigned,  and  those  people  who  would 
acknowledge  to  a  curiosity  to  see  any  thing  in  the  shape 
of  a  Yankee  would  ask  to  have  Young  pointed  out." 

Colonel  Gilmor  can  tell  the  story  of  his  capture  in  his 
own  way.  "My  cousin  was  in  bed  with  me,"  he  says  in 
his  published  narrative  —  it  was  the  4th  of  February  — 
"when  the  door  suddenly  opened,  and  five  men  entered 
with  drawn  pistols,  and  although  dressed  as  Confederates, 
I  saw  at  a  glance  what  they  were.  But  it  was  too  late 
for  a  fight,  for  they  had  seized  my  pistols,  lying  on  a 
chair  under  my  uniform.  'Are  you  Colonel  Gilmor?' 
said  one  of  them.  1  did  not  answer  at  first;  I  was 
glancing  around  to  see  if  there  was  any  chance  of  escape. 
My  attention  was  arrested  by  feeling  the  muzzle  of  a 
pistol  against  my  head  and  hearing  the  question  repeated. 
*  Yes:  and  who  in  the  devil's  name  are  you?'  ' Major 
Young,  of  General  Sheridan's  staff.'  'All  right;  I  sup 
pose  you  want  me  to  go  with  you  ?'  ( I  shall  be  happy 
to  have  your  company  to  Winchester,  as  General  Sheridan 
wishes  to  consult  you  about  important  military  affairs."5 
Harry  adds,  with  a  charming  simplicity:  "I  had  in 
tended  never  to  be  taken  alive,  but  such  circumstances  as 
now  attended  my  situation  I  could  not,  of  course,  have 
foreseen,  so  I  determined  to  make  the  best  of  it " — 
which,  certainly,  was  a  very  judicious  decision.  Gilmor, 
not  without  some  thoughts  and  plans  of  escaping,  was 
safely  taken  from  the  place  of  his  capture,  near  Moore- 
field,  to  Winchester.  Major  Young  accompanied  his 
prisoner  thence  to  his  destined  place  of  confinement, 
Fort  Warren,  in  Boston  harbor,  not  losing  sight  of  his 
charge  till  he  had  seen  the  gates  securely  closed  upon  him. 
The  enforced  intimacy  thus  begun  was  not  altogether 
distasteful  to  either  party.  For  Gilmor,  though  having 


18G5.]  THE   DEATH   GRAPPLE.  339 

more  bravado  than  Young,  was  brave,,  spirited  and  adven 
turous,  and  the  two  men  became  good  friends  before 
their  journey  was  ended.  Gilmor  in  his  book  speaks 
warmly  of  his  captor's  courtesy  and  kindness. 

General  Grant,  meanwhile,  was  anxious  lest  Lee  should 
retreat  from  his  lines  and  attempt  to  join  Johnston.  He 
felt,  that  each  morning  might  bring  the  report  of  his 
enemy's  escape.  He  resolved  to  frustrate,  if  possible,  a 
manoeuvre  of  this  kind.  On  the  24th  of  March  he 
ordered  a  movement  of  the  cavalry,  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  and  the  Army  of  the  James,  to  begin  on  the 
29th,  with  a  view  to  extend  his  left  and  "turn  the 
enemy  out  of  his  present  position  around  Petersburg." 
Sheridan  was  to  make  for  the  Southside  and  Danville 
railroads,  and  the  infantry  were  to  support.  The  Ninth 
Corps,  nearest  to  the  enemy's  works,  and  the  Sixth  were 
to  attack  the  fortifications  in  front  of  them,  if  in  any  way 
General  Lee  should  weaken  his  lines  to  meet  the  move 
ment  by  the  flank.  In  front  of  Richmond,  Wcitzel  was 
to  break  through,  if  he  found  a  weak  spot.  On  the 
27th  Sherman,  having  occupied  Goldsboro',  was  in  camp, 
to  meet  his  old  commander,  from  whom  he  had  parted 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Alleghanies.  Consultations  were 
had,  explanations  were  made,  and  a  cordial  cooperation 
was  assured. 

On  the  29th,  early  in  the  morning,  Sheridan  was  off 
with  the  cavalry,  and  by  night  occupied  Dinwiddie  Court 
House.  The  infantry  left  was  within  supporting  distance, 
on  the  Boydton  plank  road  —  the  line  then  extending  in 
order  from  left  to  right,  Sheridan,  Warren,  Humphreys, 
Ord,  and  in  front  of  Petersburg  Wright  and  Parke.  The 
success  of  the  present  movement  seemed  so  certain  to 
General  Grant  that  on  the  night  of  the  29th  he  "felt 
like  ending  the  matter,"  if  it  were  possible,  "  before 


340  THE  VETERANS.  [March, 

going  back."  Torrents  of  rain  came  down  through  that, 
night  and  all  the  next  day.  But  Sheridan  managed  to> 
struggle  through  the  mud  with  his  horses  to  the  neigh 
borhood  of  Five  Forks.  Here  on  the  31st  he  was  attacked, 
by  a  superior  force  of  the  enemy,  but,  dismounting  his 
men,  retired  very  slowly,  holding  the  assaulting  troops 
in  check,  and  still  retaining  'his  hold  upon  Dinwiddie. 
On  the  1st  of  April,  reenforced  by  the  Fifth  Corps,  he- 
made  a  counter  attack,  and,  late  in  the  afternoon,  fight 
ing  a  brilliant  battle,'  carried  the  enemy's  works  at  Five- 
Forks,  capturing  artillery  and  a  few  thousand  prisoners. 
At  the  end  of  the  battle  Warren  was  relieved,  and  General 
Charles  Griffin  put  in  command  of  the  Fifth  Corps. 

Five  Forks  is  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy  at  Petersburg,, 
and  its  occupation  by  Sheridan  was  a  serious  damage  to- 
Lee.  Grant  sent  Sheridan  more  troops,  and,  rightly 
judging,  that  Lee  would  also  send  out  reinforcements  to 
that  part  of  his  army  in  front  of  Sheridan,  ordered  an 
attack  upon  the  enemy's  lines.  A  bombardment  was 
kept  up  during  the  night,  and,  at  4  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing  of  the  2nd,  Wright  and  Parke  went  in.  The  Ninth 
Corps  was  successful  in  carrying  the  enemy's  outer  line,, 
capturing  guns  and  prisoners.  The  inner  line  was  too- 
strong  as  yet,  and  General  Parke  was  ordered  to  hold  on 
to  his  new  and  advanced  line  for  the  present.  Attacks 
were  made  upon  him  during  the  day  without  avail.  In 
the  afternoon  he  was  reenforced  by  Colonel  Hamblin's, 
brigade  from  the  Sixth  Corps,  which  was  on  the  left,  and 
had  made  a  brilliant  and  successful  assault —  "sweeping 
every  thing  before  it,  and  to  the  left  towards  Hatcher's 
Run,  capturing  many  guns  and  several  thousand  prison 
ers." 

The  immediate  part  taken  by  the  Regiment  and  the* 
Sixth  Corps,  in  the  attack  on  Petersburg,  is  best  described 


1865.]  THE    DEATH    GRAPPLE.  341 

by  one  or  two  of  the  actors  in  the  scene.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Rhodes  and  Captain  Thurber  have  furnished 
manuscript  notes  of  the  assault,  which  can  best  be  given 
in  their  own  language.  "  On  the  evening  of  March  31st,"" 
says  the  lieutenant-colonel,  "the  field  and  staff  officers  of 
the  Regiment  were  invited  to  a  banquet  at  brigade  head 
quarters.  While  the  mirth  was  at  its  height  an  officer 
entered  and  presented  an  order  to  General  Edwards. 
Reading  the  order,  he  directed  the  regimental  com 
manders  to  report  in  his  tent,  and  the  other  officers  to 
join  their  regiments.  We  entered  the  general's  tent, 
when  he  immediately  said:  '  Gentlemen,  we  attack  Peters 
burg  to-morrow  morning,'  and  proceeded  to  read  to  us 
our  instructions.  Our  special  instructions  were  received, 
and  we  returned  to  our  quarters,  feeling  that  it  was  to  be 
the  most  desperate  fight  of  the  war.  After  the  camp  was 
struck  and  all  was  ready,  the  order  was  countermanded, 
but  renewed  and  again  countermanded  before  daylight 
At  this  time  a  continual  fire  was  going  on  night  and  day. 
"On  the  evening  of  April  1st  the  orders  for  attack 
were  again  renewed,  and  so  secret  were  they  that  only 
the  commanding  officers  of  regiments  knew  what  was  to- 
be  done.  The  men  packed  their  cups  and  pans  in  their 
haversacks  to  prevent  noise.  Xo  lights  w.ere  allowed, 
and  no  horses  were  to  be  ridden  outside  our  works. 
Silently  we  moved  from  camp,  and  taking  our  place  in 
the  column  we  passed  our  picket  lines  and  formed  in  lino 
of  battle.  The  fire  from  the  rebel  pickets  was  deadly, 
and  two  of  our  color-corporals  were  killed  before  the 
advance  took  place.  While  the  formation  was  being 
made,  our  batteries  opened  along  the  entire  line,  and  the 
air  was  filled  with  flying  shot  and  shell.  We  could  see 
the  spark  or  light  of  the  fuse,  as  the  shells  crossed  each 
other's  tracks. 
29* 


342  THE   VETERAN-.  [April,. 

"The  signal  to  move  was  to  be  a  bugle  call,  and  the- 
line  was  to  move  forward,  increasing  the  gait  to  a  run. 
As  soon  as  the  signal  sounded  the  whole  corps  set  up  a 
shout,  and  away  we  went.  Our  Regiment  swung  off  to 
the  left,  and  soon  reached  the  rebel  picket  line,  which  we 
captured,  and  sent  our  prisoners  to  the  rear.  We  then 
started  again,  and,  perceiving  the  flash  of  the  guns  upon 
two  forts,  concluded  to  go  in  between  them.  We  ran  up 
the  banks  of  the  ditch,  the  rebels  firing  a  volley  over  our 
heads,  and  rushed  in  between  their  guns.  I  had  seen, 
that  every  man  had  taken  his  cap  from  his  gun,  and  up 
to  this  time  not  a  shot  had  been  fired.  I  now  ordered 
the  Regiment  to  prime,  and  we  fired  a  volley  down 
between  the  rebel  huts,  and  jumped  off  the  parapet  and 
made  for  the  enemy.  Day  was  just  breaking,  and  we 
could  see  pretty  well.  Following  my  instructions,  which 
were  to  'find  the  Boydton  plank  road  and  halt  there,'' 
we  kept  on  until  we  struck  the  road,  and  remained  until 
ordered  back  to  the  works.  It  was  march  and  fight  all 
day.  At  night  we  found  ourselves  looking  down  the 
streets  of  Petersburg,  and  very  near  the  town.  General 
Edwards  went  to  headquarters  and  volunteered  with  his. 
brigade  to  take  the  city,  but  his  services  were  declined. 
We  were  the  nearest  troops  to  the  city  that  night,  and 
rested  until  3. 45  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  3rd."  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Rhodes  was  highly  commended  for  the  gallantry 
of  his  command,  and  fairly  earned  his  brevet  of  colonel. 

Captain  Thurber,  in  his  diary  of  events,  under  date  of 
Sunday,  April  2nd,  gives  an  interesting  and  graphic 
account  of  the  Sixth  Corps.  "A  terrific  bombardment,"" 
he  says,  "  commenced  last  night  at  half -past  nine  o'clock 
all  along  the  lines.  At  the  same  time  the  Sixth  Corps- 
began  to  move  out  between  the  lines  to  take  their  position 
for  the  assault.  In  so  doing  they  came  between  the 


1865.]  THE    DEATH    <JK  APPLE. 

pickets  of  both  lines,  receiving  the  fire  of  each  for  a  long 
distance,  which  we  passed  over  at  the  double-quick,, 
finally  reaching  the  ground  from  which  the  charge  was  to- 
be  made.  Here  we  remained  all  night  before  the  works 
we  were  to  assault  in  the  morning,  with  a  slight  elevation 
to  shelter  us.  As  we  lay  flat  upon  the  ground  the  rebel 
picket  fire  swept  overhead  continually.  About  4  o'clock 
in  the  morning  the  order  for  advance  was  given.  The- 
corps,  arranged  in  three  lines,  began  to  move,  the  Second 
Rhode  Island  in  the  third  line,  but,  as  we  advanced,  the- 
first  and  second  lines  became  disorganized  and  seemed  to 
nielt  away  in  front,  and  we  passed  through.  The  rebel 
pickets  in  their  rifle-pits  are  soon  reached,  and  beg  for 
quarter,  but  none  want  to  harm  them.  The  Regiment 
pass  on  to  the  abattis;  a  large  opening  is  found,  through 
which  the  whole  Regiment  enter  by  the  right  flank,  and 
then  deploying,  raise  a  great  cheer  and  rush  for  the- 
works.  From  these  the  rebels  are  doing  their  best  with 
their  small  arms  and  battery  of  four  guns,  but  they  are 
overwhelmed  in  an  instant  and  retire  —  their  gunners 
captured. 

"Hot  at  work  the  Regiment  is  inside  their  lines,  and 
is  the  first  regiment  in  that  position  on  that  day.  Gen 
eral  Edwards,  our  brigade  commander,  orders  all  others 
to  form  on  the  Second  Rhode  Island  and  advance  in 
the  direction  of  the  Southside  railroad.  After  passing 
through  several  rebel  camps,  which  were  soon  in  flames, 
we  change  direction  to  the  east  and  begin  to  move  toward 
Petersburg,  taking  the  rebel  works  in  reverse.  As  the 
line  advanced,  the  columns  in  front  of  the  rebel  works 
would  assault,  and  the  enemy,  being  taken  in  front  and 
Hank,  would  leave  with  his  batteries,  moving  out  on  the- 
road  to  Petersburg,  and  firing  from  every  good  position* 
In  this  manner  did  the  army  press  on  all  the  afternoon,. 


344  THE   VETERANS.  [April, 

till,  finally,  the  line  reached  the  hills  commanding  Peters 
burg.  A  few  shots  are  now  thrown  into  the  works 
enclosing  the  city,  and  the  enemy's  troops  are  seen  leaving 
them  on  the  double-quick.  At  the  same  time,  on  our 
right,  Forts  Mahone  and  Gregg  are  assaulted  and  carried, 
and  the  day's  work  is  over.  We  throw  up  a  slight  breast 
work  and  bivouac  for  the  night." 

Thus  Captain  Thurber.  Lieutenant  Halliday  tells  the 
story  of  one  or  two  occurrences  which  happened  while 
the  Regiment  was  inside  the  enemy's  lines.  It  is  well 
narrated  in  a  letter  to  Colonel  Rhodes,  and,  though  not 
intended  for  publication,  seems  to  deserve  a  place  in  these 
pages,  as  giving  a  lively  description  of  a  part  of  the 
morning's  work.  "I  promised  to  tell  you,"  says  the 
lieutenant,  "  what  a  few  of  our  boys  did  while  away  from 
the  Regiment,  the  morning  we  broke  the  lines  in  front 
of  Fort  Fisher.  Of  course  you  know  all  about  us  until 
we  got  inside,  as  we  stuck  together  almost  by  intuition. 
As  soon  as  we  got  inside  we  were  immediately  subjected 
to  quite  a  severe  flank  fire,  and  as  Colonel  Hickman  had 
not  succeeded  in  reaching  his  position,  it  looked  as  if  we 
were  to  be  obliged  to  take  it  for  some  time.  To  aiford 
partial  relief  I  took  about  thirty  of  our  boys,  mostly 
of  Company  E,  and  started  to  try  to  drive  our  enemy  a 
little.  They  seemed  to  be  distributed  along  the  earth 
works,  in  squads  of  three  to  six,  and  in  no  instance  did 
I  see  any  of  them  leave  their  posts  until  they  had  given 
us  the  contents  of  their  muskets.  Then  they  ran,  and 
what  we  did  not  capture  we  kept  running,  until  we  had 
quite  a  large  party  on  the  go.  We  did  n't  have  to  go 
more  than  six  hundred  or  eight  hundred  yards,  I  think, 
before  we  came  to  an  earthwork  in  which  there  were  four 
brass  pieces.  Our  boys  moved  as  quickly  as  any  soldiers 
ever  did,  and  they  got  into  the  camp  in  good  shape.  At 


1865.]  THE   DEATH    GRAPPLE. 

the  words  'now,  then,  forward,'  they  charged,  and  in  less 
time  than  it  takes  to  tell  it,  three  pieces  were  ours  and 
the  fourth  was  on  its  way  down  the  hill.  I  now  dis 
covered,  that  Lieutenant  Dorrance  was  with  me,  and,  as- 
we  stepped  on  the  parapet  together,  a  bullet  in  the  neck 
knocked  him  off  it.  As  I  saw  where  the  shot  came  from,. 
I  started  for  the  spot,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  winging 
my  bird  and  capturing  him. 

"I  then  started  with  my  men,  to  see  if  we  could  n't 
get  the  fourth  piece.  At  the  same  time,  seeing  the- 
enemy  were  forming  their  lines  at  right  angles  with  the* 
old  ones,  I  thought  a  little  support  would  probably  be- 
acceptable.  So  I  sent  over  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Clark,, 
saying  we  had  got  the  earthwork,  and  asking  him  to  take- 
possession,  that  we  might  rejoin  our  Regiment.  \V7e  got 
the  fourth  piece  with  very  little  trouble,  but  as  soon  as 
the  enemy  began  to  advance  I  knew  it  would  be  impos 
sible  to  do  any  thing  with  it.  I  started  the  boys  to  the- 
top  of  the  hill,  to  reload  the  pieces  there  and  get  them  in 
position.  Private  Eailton  did  not  seem  inclined  to  leave,, 
but  went  to  work  to  load  the  piece,  which  he  did  to  the* 
muzzle  with  stones,  iron,  etc.,  which  were  lying  around. 
The  enemy  were  advancing,  closed  en  masse  —  so  I  said 
to  him,  '  Come,  the  Johnnies  are  coming,  let's  get  up  and 
keep  the  earthwork,  any  way.'  The  only  reply  was, 
'Be  they?  If  they  come  here  I'll  make  them  smell' — 
well — 'brimstone.'  I  stood  and  watched  him,  and  then, 
when  the  enemy's  line  was  not  over  thirty  feet  away,  he- 
touched  off  the  gun,  which  blew  into  thousands  of 
pieces,  but  such  destruction  of  life  I  never  saw,  before  or 
since.  It  broke  their  lines,  and  they  were  not  reformed, 
as  our  troops  began  coming  in  to  help  us.  Just  as  we- 
got  into  the  earthwork,  where  the  rest  of  the  boys  were,. 
Colonel  Clark  came  up  with  his  regiment,  and  I  very 


34G  THE  VETERANS.  [April, 

willingly  turned  over  the  captured  property  to  him,  and 
rejoined  the  Regiment.  Railton  was  with  us  to  the  end 
of  the  Avar,  but  died  from  a  wound  received  at  Sailor's 
Creek."  It  was  one  of  those  personal  episodes  which 
were  perpetually  occurring  during  the  war,  and  is  put  on 
record  simply  as  an  illustration  of  the  independent  man 
ner  in  which  much  of  our  warfare  was  carried  on. 

The  whole  affair,  both  in  its  conception  and  execution, 
was  remarkably  well  carried  out.  The  Sixth  Corps  — 
well  supported  by  two  divisions  of  the  Twenty-fourth 
Corps,  on  the  left — was  formed  with  Wheaton's  division 
on  the  right,  Getty's  in  the  centre,  and  Seymour's  on  the 
left.  Wheaton  formed  his  division  with  Penrose's  bri 
gade  on  the  right,  Hamblin's  in  the  centre,  and  Edwards's 
on  the  left.  Getty  was  to  make  the  charge,  the  other 
two  divisions  supporting.  The  attacking  force  moved  up 
in  two  lines,  Wheaton  and  Seymour  advancing  en  echelon 
on  either  side.  The  fighting  was  severe  from  daylight 
until  11  o'clock.  Getty  and  Wheaton,  checked  at  first, 
finally  carried  the  works,  when  Wheaton  moved  over  to 
the  right  in  aid  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  engaged  in  a  very 
hot  and  bloody  battle.  Seymour  broke  through  the 
enemy  in  gallant  style,  and  reached  the  Southside  rail 
road.  The  enemy  disputed  every  inch  of  ground  with 
obstinate  valor,  but,  on  the  fall  of  General  A.  P.  Hill,  in 
immediate  command  at  this  point,  finally  gave  way, 
losing  2000  prisoners  and  nearly  a  score  of  guns.  There 
was  considerable  fighting  through  the  afternoon,  but  at 
night  the  Sixth  Corps  had  established  itself  south  of  the 
city,  its  left  extending  well  over  toward  the  Appomattox. 
The  Twenty-fourth  and  Second  Corps  were  close  up  in 
support,  and  the  Ninth,  securely  fixed  within  the  enemy's 
outer  line,  was  prepared  to  penetrate  the  inner  line  at 
daybreak. 


1865.]  THE    LOST    CAl'-K.  34? 


CHAPTER    VIII 
THE   LOST   CAUSE. 


(^(EXERAL  Lee,  perceiving  that  the  affairs  of  the 
Confederacy  were  in  a  desperate  state,  prepared  to 
evacuate  both  Petersburg  and  Richmond.  He  de 
spatched  a  messenger  on  the  2nd  to  Mr.  Jefferson  Davis 
and  his  government  at  Richmond,  informing  his  chief, 
who  happened  at  the  time  to  be  at  church,  that  the  hour 
had  come.  That  night  Davis  and  his  companions  fled, 
and  the  enemy's  troops  marched  out  —  those  in  Richmond 
setting  fire  to  several  buildings  ere  they  left.  On  the 
morning  of  the  3rd,  at  2  o'clock,  the  enemy's  pickets 
were  still  out,  but  at  4  o'clock  our  pickets  found  no  force 
in  front  of  them,  and  the  armies  at  once  entered  and 
took  possession  of  the  two  cities.  General  Devens  of  the 
3rd  division,  Twenty-fourth  Corps,  Army  of  the  James, 
marched  in  his  command  and  occupied  Richmond.  In 
front  of  the  Xinth  Corps  a  deputation  from  the  city 
government  was  met  by  Colonel  Ely,  who  sent  in  his 
brigade,  and  the  1st  Michigan  sharpshooters  hoisted  the 
flag  upon  the  court  house.  In  front  of  the  Sixth  Corps 
General  Edwards  was  met  by  Mr.  D.  A.  Paul,  a  member 
of  a  committee  from  the  city  council,  who  tendered  the 


348  THE   VETERANS.  [April, 

•surrender  of  the  city,  whereupon  the  37th  Massachusetts 
marched  in  and  took  possession.  General  Willcox's 
•division  of  the  Ninth  was  left  to  garrison  the  city,  and 
the  other  troops  were  sent  out  to  guard  the  Southside 
railroad  and  to  harass  the  rear  of  the  retreating  army. 
On  the  4th  Mr.  Lincoln,  who  had  been  at  City  Point  for 
•a  week  and  more,  visited  Richmond  and  was  received, 
'especially  by  the  negroes,  with  a  warm  and  touching 
•enthusiasm  of  gratitude. 

General  Grant,  leaving  his  garrisons  to  attend  to  the 
•captured  cities,  lost  no  time  in  pursuing  General  Lee's 
retreating  columns.  Lee  endeavored  to  reach  the  Dan 
ville  railroad,  hoping  to  escape  southward.  But  Sheridan 
was  on  his  left  flank,  with  his  cavalry  —  trained  by  this 
time  to  pursue  on  horseback  and  fight  on  foot  —  and  was 
impressed  with  the  hope  of  decisive  and  final  success. 
"I  feel  confident,"  he  sends  word  to  Grant,  "of  capturing 
the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  if  we  exert  ourselves." 
•Grant  was  in  no  way  behind  in  wishing  "to  end  the 
matter."  So  the  troops  were  pushed  on.  The  roads 
were  bad,  rations  scant,  and  the  marching  was  hard,  but 
the  near  prospect  of  victory  and  peace  gave  energy  to  the 
most  weary  and  helped  to  still  the  gnawings  of  hunger. 
Besides,  as  an  aged  contraband  informed  Sheridan  —  in 
•answer  to  the  question,  "Where  are  the  rebs?" — the 
•enemy  was  "siftin'  south,  sar,  siftin'  south,"  and  there 
was  hope  of  capturing  a  large  portion  of  them  before  they 
could  get  through  the  meshes.  Sheridan  had  the  Fifth 
Corps  with  him,  and  the  Second  and  Sixth  were  sent 
forward  with  all  possible  haste  to  join  his  command. 
For  the  Danville  railroad  must  be  secured  at  all  hazards. 
Major  Young  was  out  in  the  advance  with  his  scouts, 
and  reported  Lee  making  for  Amelia  Court  House. 
Young  himself,  with  a  few  picked  men,  was  with  the 


18G5.]  THE   LOST   CAUSE.  349 

enemy's  cavalry,  and  every  now  and  then,  at  favorable 
opportunities,  and  in  a  very  persuasive  way,  would  induce 
men  and  even  officers  to  transfer  themselves  from  the 
rebel  to  the  Union  lines.  It  was  a  pleasant  amusement 
to  him,  and  did  no  harm  to  any  body. 

The  troops  were  stripped  for  the  race,  and  on  the  3rd, 
4th  and  5th  had  "hard  marching  all  day" — according 
to  Captain  Thurber.  On  the  5th  the  Second  Corps 
reached  Sheridan,  then  at  Jetersville,  and  on  the  same 
night  the  Sixth  came  up.  The  cavalry  had  had  some 
fighting  every  day,  and  Lee  had  now  passed  Amelia  and 
might  momentarily  come  into  contact  with  the  army  on 
his  flank.  Generals  Grant  and  Meade  had  also  come  up. 
General  Ord  had  gone  down  toward  Burkesville  Junction, 
and  the  prospect  was  more  cheering  than  ever. 

On  the  6th,  bright  and  early,  the  army  was  astir,  and 
pressed  on  westward.  The  cavalry  and  horse  artillery 
were  in  the  advance,  and  took  every  occasion  to  annoy 
the  enemy's  trains  and  rear-guard.  The  route  of  the 
army  lay  toward  Prince  Edward  Court  House,  on  the 
Danville  turnpike.  General  Lee  was  between  the  road 
to  the  court  house  and  the  Appomattox.  He  had  lost 
the  Danville  railroad  —  that  was  certain.  Could  he  gain 
the  turnpike?  There  were  two  ways  to  do  it  —  to  make 
straight  for  it  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  and  to  cross 
to  the  north  side  and  recross  to  the  south  side  upon  the 
turnpike  and  railroad  bridges  at  Farmville.  Dividing 
his  forces,  he  seems  to  have  decided  to  try  both  —  as  it 
was  reported  to  Sheridan,  that  part  of  the  enemy's  army 
was  keeping  the  court  house  road  and  part  was  going 
toward  the  river.  The  latter  was  really  Ewell  with  the 
rear-guard  —  possibly  making  for  Farmville  crossing. 

The  Second  Corps  pushed  on  to  the  river;  the  cavalry 
and  the  Sixth  Corps,  then  coming  up,  made  for  the  force 
30 


350  THE   VETERANS.  [April, 

upon  the  court  house  road.  A  portion  of  the  cavalry 
struck  the  enemy's  trains  at  or  near  Deatonsville,  and 
harassed  them  more  or  less  during  the  day.  About  4 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  two  opposing  columns  came 
in  contact  near  Sailor's  Creek.  The  cavalry  immediately 
attacked.  General  Wright  at  once  put  himself  under 
Sheridan's  orders,  and  Seymour's  division  was  moved 
down  without  delay  to  aid  Colonel  Stagg's  cavalry  brigade, 
which  was  making  attacks  and  demonstrations,  wholly 
beyond  proportion  to  its  size.  Of  the  cavalry,  Custer  was 
off  on  the  right,  Crook  in  the  centre,  and  Devin  on  the 
left.  Of  the  infantry,  Seymour's  and  Wheaton's  divisions 
were  moved  to  the  other  side  of  the  creek,  while  Getty 
was  held  in  reserve.  Beyond  the  creek  was  a  ridge, 
partly  wooded.  Seymour  on  the  right  was  to  move 
straight  on;  Wheaton  on  the  left  was  to  bear  to  his  right, 
and,  closing  up,  come  upon  the  enemy's  flank.  The 
crossing  was  made  in  the  midst  of  a  hot  and  galling  fire. 
The  men,  holding  their  cartridges  above  their  heads, 
leaped  in,  struggled  through  the  mud  and  water,  and 
quickly  gained  the  other  side.  Immediately  forming 
the  line,  Seymour  gallantly  advanced  his  division  and 
gained  the  ridge,  pushing  back  the  enemy  in  his  front. 

It  happened,  that  the  Second  Regiment  was  leading 
the  corps  that  day,  and  had  furnished  guards  for  the 
houses  on  the  road,  so  that  when  it  reached  the  creek  it 
numbered  scarcely  200  men.  Deploying  to  the  left,  on 
emerging  from  a  piece  of  woods,  the  Regiment  wras 
formed  on  the  left  of  the  third  line.  But  on  advancing 
it  took  the  left  of  the  second,  and  finally  that  of  the  first 
line.  Being  on  the  extreme  left,  and  without  cavalry  to 
guard  its  flank,  the  crossing  of  the  stream  was  a  hazard 
ous  movement.  But  across  the  men  went  with  the  rest, 
now  under  Seymour,  and,  gaining  the  other  bank,  imme- 


1865.]  THE   LOST   CAUSE.  351 

diately  reformed  and  pushed  up  the  slope  beyond,  the 
enemy  retiring  into  the  woods  upon  the  ridge.  But  here 
was  a  large  force  of  the  enemy,  lying  concealed  and 
awaiting  the  approach  of  our  troops.  A  scathing  and 
murderous  fire  was  opened,  and  the  enemy  charged  down 
upon  the  command.  It  was  a  hand  to  hand  fight,  the 
combatants  mingling  together  and  freely  using  bayonets 
and  musket  butts.  Here  fell  Captain  Gleason  of  G  and 
Lieutenant  Perry  of  F,  for  the  fighting  was  severe. 
Indeed  Seymour  had  nearly  the  entire  weight  of  the 
enemy  upon  him,  while  AVheaton  was  moving  around  to 
his  support,  to  strike  the  foe  upon  his  flank. 

Conspicuous  in  this  contest,  among  the  enemy's  troops, 
was  a  battalion  of  marines  from  Richmond,  disdainful  of 
fear  and  eager  for  the  fray.  They  fought  with  such 
impetuosity  as  to  throw  our  lines  into  dire  confusion, 
and  almost  before  he  was  aware  of  it  Seymour  and  his 
division  —  a  part  of  the  Second  with  them  —  were  tum 
bled  back  into  and  across  the  creek,  the  enemy  following 
and  planting  his  flags  upon  the  bank.  But  brief  was  his 
triumph.  Edwards  formed  his  brigade  upon  the  enemy's 
flank  and  poured  in  a  deadly  fire.  A  few  rounds  of 
canister,  from  a  battery  which  wras  opportunely  sent  to 
the  relief  of  our  troops,  cleared  the  way  for  their  return. 
The  men  of  the  Second  who  had  been  forced  across  the 
creek  rushed  back  again.  The  rest  of  Wheaton's  division 
now  came  gallantly  into  action.  Our  artillery,  on  the 
hither  side  of  the  creek,  opened  on  the  mass  of  the 
clustering  enemy  on  the  further  bank.  There  was  no 
escape  for  the  daring  marines,  and  they  were  actually 
forced  across  the  creek  to  surrender  themselves  to  Seymour 
and  his  command.  General  Getty  was  now  sent  across, 
and  Wheaton  turned  his  attention  to  the  ridge.  The 
Sixth  Corps,  in  the  new  formation,  made  its  advance, 


352  THE   VETERANS. 

subjected  to  a  heavy  fire,  but  still  pressing  the  enemy 
hard  and  gaining  an  advantage  at  every  step.  Down, 
through  the  woods  then  came  our  cavalry,  having  got 
into  the  enemy's  rear,  and,  in  a  few  minutes  after,  the- 
battle  was  over. 

General  Ewell,  with  his  subordinate  commanders,. 
Kershaw,  Barton,  Corse  and  others,  8000  or  10,000 
prisoners  —  there  was  not  time  to  count  them  — 14  guns, 
and  the  trains,  were  the  prizes  of  that  day's  struggle. 
Colonel  Rhodes,  in  his  manuscript  narrative,  says,  that 
Sergeant  Cameron  of  the  5th  Wisconsin  took  E well's- 
horse  by  the  bridle,  and  delivered  his  distinguished 
prisoner  over  to  General  Wright.  General  C.  E.  Lee  and 
staff,  Commodore  Tucker  and  staff,  and  the  men  of  their 
respective  commands,  and  a  wagon  train  with  its  contents,, 
were  also  among  the  captures  made  by  Edwards's  brigade. 
The  loss  of  the  Second  was  severe.  At  Petersburg  it. 
had  lost  Corporal  Mills  of  E  and  one  man  killed,  Lieu 
tenant  Dorrance  of  E,  Sergeants  Redding  of  D  and 
Bucklin  of  F,  and  Corporals  Shippee  of  B,  Barber  and 
C.  W.  Brown  of  D,  Glancey  of  F,  Miller  of  G,  and  6- 
men  wounded.  Corporal  Glancey  died  of  his  wounds,. 
April  3rd.  In  this  fight  it  lost  6  killed  and  39  wounded 
—  of  whom  4  soon  after  died  of  their  injuries.  Among 
the  killed  were  Captain  Gleason  of  G,  Lieutenant  Perry 
of  F,  and  Sergeant  Seamans  of  E.  Sergeant  Coyle  of 
A  died,  May  2nd,  Corporal  Burke  of  A,  April  30tlv 
Corporal  Carroll  of  C,  April  IGth,  and  Corporal  Mansell' 
of  E,  April  8th.  Among  the  wounded  were  Captain. 
Jeffrey  of  F,  Lieutenants  Tourjee  of  A,  McKay  of  D,. 
Halliday  of  E,  winning  a  brevet  of  captain,  and  Peck  of 
G,  Sergeants  McKay  of  F  and  Oldenburg  of  G,  and 
Corporals  Booth  of  A,  Ballon  of  C,  O'Brien  of  D,  and 
Fanning,  Horton  and  Railton,  of  E.  Colonel  Rhodes, 


1865.]  THE   LOST   CAUSE.  353 

said  he  could  not  speak  too  highly  of  the  conduct  of  the 
men,  and  the  men  gratefully  reciprocated  the  good 
opinion  of  their  commander. 

The  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek  with  its  brilliant  results 
decided  the  question  of  Lee's  reaching  the  Danville  turn 
pike.  He  was  on  the  north  side  of  the  Appomattox  now, 
whither  his  main  body  had  been  forced  by  the  Second 
and  Fifth  Corps  while  Sheridan  had  been  operating 
around  Sailor's  Creek.  General  Ord,  too,  had  some 
share  in  the  victory,  having  brought  up  his  command 
from  Burke's  to  Farmville  and  detained  the  head  of 
Lee's  column  at  that  point.  The  next  day  the  Sixth 
Corps  went  up  to  Farmville  and  crossed  to  support  the 
Second  Corps,  which  was  following  Lee,  despairing  of 
Danville  and  making  for  Lynchburg.  Sheridan,  with 
two  cavalry  divisions,  moved  rapidly  to  the  westward  on 
the  south  side  of  the  Appomattox,  followed  by  the  Fifth 
Corps  and  General  Ord's  command.  That  night  the 
troops  on  the  south  went  into  camp  near  Buffalo  creek. 
General  Grant,  at  Farmville,  proposed  to  General  Lee 
that  he  should  now  surrender  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia.  General  Lee  replied,  that  he  did  not  entertain 
Grant's  "opinion  on  the  hopelessness  of  further  resist 
ance."  Still  he  asked  for  terms,  to  which  General  Grant 
responded,  that  his  condition  of  peace  was,  that  "the 
men  and  officers  surrendered  shall  be  disqualified  for 
taking  up  arms  again  against  the  United  States." 

No  immediate  reply  was  received,  and  so  the  pursuit 
continued  on  the  8th.  Sheridan,  now  more  eager  than 
ever,  pushed  his  cavalry  along  the  roads  parallel  to 
the  railroad  leading  to  Appomattox  Station.  At  Pros 
pect  Station,  or  a  short  distance  beyond,  one  of  Major 
Young's  scouts  came  in  and  reported,  "  that  there  were 
already  four  trains  of  cars  at  Appomattox  depot  awaiting 

30* 


354  THE   VETERANS.  [April, 

General  Lee."  Forward  the  cavalry!  Hurry  on  tha 
infantry  —  for  the  game  was  now  almost  in  sight  and 
sure  to  be  run  down.  An  uneventful  march  —  for  the,- 
country  was  quiet  and  peaceful,  and  no  signs  of  the 
enemy  appeared.  Not  far  from  5  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon  Ouster  in  advance  saw  the  smoke  of  the  locomotives 
and  the  standing  trains.  Circling  out  through  the  woods- 
and  passing  beyond  the  depot,  he  gallopped  down  the  rail 
road,  captured  the  engineers  and  trainmen,  secured  the- 
trains  and  started  them  back  toward  Prospect  Station. 
Sheridan  soon  afterwards  came  up,  and,  dismounting  his- 
horsemen,  made  dispositions  for  battle.  He  was  just  in 
time.  For  the  head  of  Lee's  column,  mostly  artillery  — 
the  rear  detained  by  Meade  —  was  coming  down  to  the- 
depot,  and  had  already  opened  fire  upon  Ouster.  Not 
expecting  a  fight  at  that  place,  the  enemy  was  somewhat, 
disturbed  and  demoralized  by  the  appearance  of  our 
forces,  and  especially  indignant  at  the  loss  of  his  supplies,, 
upon  which  he  had  almost  laid  his  hand.  But,  between 
the  dismounted  cavalry  in  front  and  Ouster  in  the  rear,, 
the  artillery  could  not  do  better  than  give  up  their  guns,, 
twenty-five  in  number.  Sheridan  immediately  reported 
the  day's  success  to  Grant,  and  thought,  that  "we  would 
perhaps  finish  the  job  in  the  morning."  The  Fifth 
Corps  and  General  Ord's  command,  appreciating  the- 
situation,  marched  all  night,  and  before  daylight  the; 
welcome  tramp  of  their  columns  was  heard  at  the  cavalry 
headquarters* 

General  Grant,  about  midnight,  on  his  side  of  the 
river  —  now  dwindled  to  a  mere  brook  —  received  a  reply- 
to  his  note  of  the  morning.  General  Lee  frankly  did 
"not  think  the  emergency  had  arisen  to  call  for  the- 
surrender"  of  his  army.  He  was  willing  to  treat  for 
peace,  and  proposed  an  interview  the  next  morning  at  10 


1865.]  THE   LOST   CAUSE.  355 

o'clock.  Grant  thought,  that  an  interview  "  would  lead 
to  no  good,"  as  he  had  no  authority  to  treat  for  peace* 
But  peace  could  be  secured  "by  the  South  laying  down 
their  arms" — which  was  sufficiently  clear  to  the  loyal 
mind.  Meanwhile,  Sheridan,  on  that  same  morning, 
was  pressing  upon  General  Lee's  mind  the  fact  that  "  the 
emergency  had  arisen."  For  the  cavalry  and  infantry- 
confronted  the  advance  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir 
ginia,  stopped  the  road  to  Danville,  Lynchburg  —  and 
every  where  else  —  and  presented  a  barrier  which  the 
enemy  would  not  believe  to  be  impassable,  till  he  had 
tried  in  desperation  to  break  through,  and  had  failed. 
A  white  flag  came  out  to  Sheridan,  and  hostilities  were 
at  an  end. 

General  Lee  sent  to  Grant  that  he  would  meet  him  and 
arrange  the  terms  of  the  surrender.  Officers  were  to* 
parole  themselves  and  their  respective  commands;  arms, 
artillery  and  public  property  were  to  be  turned  over  to- 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac;  officers'  side  arms,  private 
horses  and  baggage  were  to  be  retained;  and  then  the- 
officers  and  men  could  return  to  their  homes,  "not  to  be 
disturbed  by  United  States  authority,  so  long  as  they 
observc  their  paroles  and  the  laws  in  force  where  they 
may  reside."  These  were  generous  terms.  Lee  accepted 
them,  not  without  a  natural  feeling  of  sorrow  that  the 
cause  for  which  he  had  battled  so  long,  so  well  and  so 
persistently,  was  lost.  Preliminaries  were  signed,  as  the 
two  generals  met  in  the  house  of  a  Mr.  McLean,  near  the- 
court  house,  and  before  the  sun  set  on  the  9th  of  April 
every  body  in  both  armies  knew,  that  the  protracted  and 
bloody  strife  was  at  an  end.  "  Then  we  went  to  bed,'y 
says  General  Sheridan's  staff  officer,  "and  had  a  good 
night's  rest,  and  tried  to  appreciate  the  great  blessing  of 
peace  that  had  suddenly  descended  upon  us." 


356  THE   VETERANS.  [April, 


CHAPTER    IX 

HOME   AT    LAST. 


]Th[HE  Regiment  that  had  been  distinguished  for  its 
f"  steadiness  and  bravery  in  the  first  battle  of  the  war 
1  had  been  equally  conspicuous  in  the  last.  It  had 
gallantly  done  its  part  in  mitigating  the  shame  of  the 
first  defeat  and  in  adding  lustre  to  the  glory  of  the  last 
victory.  But  it  was  not  destined  to  be  relieved  from 
duty  for  two  or  three  months  to  come.  There  were  a 
few  things  yet  to  do  in  closing  up  the  affairs  of  the 
rebellion,  and  the  Sixth  Corps  was  selected  to  finish  the 
work  in  Virginia.  A  day's  rest  around  Appomattox  was 
allowed,  and  then  General  Wright,  with  the  Second  Corps 
and  a  part  of  the  cavalry,  was  ordered  down  to  Burkes- 
ville.  On  the  llth  of  April  the  march  began,  and  having 
made  twenty  miles,  the  corps  encamped.  On  the  12th 
the  march  was  resumed,  and  the  next  day's  movement 
brought  the  troops  to  their  destination.  The  duty  to  be 
here  performed  was  guarding  the  railroad,  and  was 
found  to  be  not  especially  onerous.  For  ten  days  tho 
command  remained  in  this  neighborhood,  enjoying  the 
rest  and  the  occasional  hospitality  of  the  people.  Hero 
also  came  to  the  troops,  to  their  indignation  and  sorrow, 


1865.]  HOME   AT   LAST.  357 

the  intelligence  of  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln. 
Well  was  it  said,  that  the  South  by  that  murderous  blow 
sacrificed  its  best  friend.  For  there  can  be  no  question,, 
that  the  practical  sagacity  and  genuine  patriotism  of  the- 
president  would  have  found  a  peaceful  and  satisfactory 
way  of  solving  the  difficult  and  vexing  problem  of  recon 
struction.  The  generous  heart  which  was  now  forever 
still  had  no  enmity  to  indulge  or  revenge  to  gratify. 
The  spirit  of  the  famous  declaration — "with  charity  tc- 
all,  with  malice  toward  none" — would  doubtless  have- 
pervadQd  the  public  policy  and  brought  the  nation  safely 
through  all  its  perils. 

On  the  23rd  the  Sixth  Corps  and  the  cavalry  started 
for  Danville,  arriving  on  the  27th.  The  movement  was 
in  part  to  hasten  the  surrender  of  Johnston,  and  on  the- 
arrival  of  the  troops  the  welcome  intelligence  was  received,, 
that  Sherman  had  already  brought  the  matter  to  its  con 
summation.  Johnston  surrendered  on  the  26th,  and 
there  was  no  further  need  of  occupying  this  advanced 
post.  So,  on  the  2nd  of  May,  the  command  returned  — 
in  part  by  rail  —  to  Burkesville,  arriving  on  the  4th. 
Here,  on  the  4th,  Company  H,  numbering  74  officers  and 
men,  joined  the  Regiment,  its  members  having  been, 
mustered  in  at  intervals  from  the  21st  of  January  to  the- 
22nd  of  April.  The  company  was  in  command  of  Cap 
tain  Joseph  Pollard,  with  First  Lieutenant  J.  N.  Granger 
and  Second  Lieutenant  F.  A.  Burt.  The  warrant  officers- 
were  as  follows:  Sergeants  (first)  Orville  P.  Jones, 
Robert  Nevin,  Peter  A.  Marie,  Virginius  Vanguison  and 
John  F.  Bo  wen;  Corporals  Caleb  S.  Miller,  Joseph  W. 
Aldrich,  William  C.  Bosworth,  James  Donnelly,  Charles 
C.  Xye,  William  H.  Heath  and  John  H.  Tyler.  The 
government  was  still  putting  soldiers  into  the  field,  for 
there  were  some  apprehensions  lest  a  guerilla  kind  of 


358  THE  VETERANS.  [May, 

warfare  might  bo  maintained  in  some  portions  of  the 
South  which  were  most  disturbed  by  the  humiliation  of 
the  surrender.  Fortunately  these  fears  were  groundless, 
but  it  was  the  part  of  prudence  to  be  fore-armed. 

On  the  5th  the  1st  division  was  sent  to  Wells's  Station, 
and  for  the  next  ten  days  the  officers  and  men  lived  in 
clover.  Wells's  Station,  or  Wellsville,  as  it  is  sometimes 
called,  is  a  quiet  place  on  the  border  of  Nottoway  and 
Dinwiddie  counties,  and  the  country  around  is  the  abode 
of  well-to-do  planters,  whose  estates  had  been  compara 
tively  untouched  by  the  war.  Distant  about  thiity  miles 
from  Petersburg,  it  had  escaped  any  extended  ravage, 
and  at  this  time  the  fields  presented  all  the  beauty  of  the 
opening  summer.  The  inhabitants  had  been  hearty 
adherents  of  the  insurgent  cause,  but  now  that  it  was 
hopeless  they  were  evidently  glad,  that  the  contest  was 
over  and  the  question  decided.  The  officers  were  received 
into  their  houses  with  the  proverbial  hospitality  of  the 
Virginia  planter,  and  invitations  to  dinner  and  supper 
literally  poured  into  camp  from  all  the  region  within  a 
ten  miles'  circuit.  The  hosts  were  courteous  and  cordial, 
and,  if  the  young  ladies  would  occasionally  sing  secession 
songs,  the  guests  could  very  well  afford  to  laugh  and  be 
amused  by  the  harmless  demonstration.  The  intercourse 
was  very  friendly  and  very  enjoyable,  and  when  the  time 
for  leaving  came,  our  officers  and  their  liberal  entertain 
ers  parted  with  reciprocal  expressions  of  good  will. 

Sherman's  army  passed  Wellsville  on  the  6th,  going  on 
toward  Richmond,  occupying  the  entire  day.  On  the 
16th  the  Sixth  Corps  left  its  camps  —  in  what  had 
seemed  almost  a  paradise  to  the  wearied  soldiers  — 
marched  to  Wilson's,  where  it  remained  two  days,  and 
thence  proceeded  to  Petersburg.  It  passed  through  that 
city  on  the  19th,  and  on  the  20th  reached  Manchester. 


18G5.]  HOME    AT   LAST.  359 

On  the  24th  the  corps  was  at  Richmond,  and  thence 
marched  to  Hanover  Court  House.  At  Richmond,  Libby 
Prison,  Castle  Thunder,  Belle  Isle  and  other  points  of 
mournful  interest  attracted  the  attention  of  the  officers 
and  men.  Many  of  them  now  saw  these  places  for  the 
first  time,  some  had  experienced  their  horrors,  and  all 
were  glad  to  leave  the  city  which  had  for  them  such 
painful  associations.  Through  Fredericksburg  on  the 
29th  and  30th,  and  so  on  to  Fairfax  Court  House  and 
Hall's  Hill,  where  the  corps  went  into  camp.  Colonel 
Rhodes  records,  that  the  last  day's  march  was  over  the 
same  ground  which  the  Regiment  had  traversed  on  its 
way  to  its  first  battle. 

On  the  23rd  and  24th  occurred  the  grand  review  of 
Meade's  and  Sherman's  armies  at  Washington.  The 
Sixth  Corps,  necessarily  absent,  was  to  have  a  review  by 
itself.  The  8th  of  June  was  the  day  fixed,  and  on  the 
previous  night  the  corps  bivouacked  on  the  grounds 
south  and  east  of  the  Capitol.  The  day  was  very  hot, 
but  the  troops  made  a  fine  appearance,  and  were  especially 
commended  for  their  good  marching.  There  might  not 
have  been  so  much  enthusiasm  as  on  previous  occasions, 
when  the  numbers  both  of  troops  and  spectators  were 
greater,  but  there  was  abundant  greeting,  and  the  public 
appreciation  was  well  and  heartily  expressed.  General 
Wright  and  his  horse  were  covered  with  flowers,  and  the 
division  and  other  commanders  received  similar  tokens  of 
regard  and  approval.  A  large  Greek  cross  of  evergreens, 
the  badge  of  the  corps,  stood  on  the  president's  stand, 
and  the  houses  and  reviewing  stands  along  the  route 
were  handsomely  decorated. 

Major  B.  Perley  Poore,  in  his  despatch  to  the  Boston 
Journal,  gave  a  brief  description  of  the  pageant.  "  Gen 
eral  Wright  headed  his  corps,  riding  a  dark  bay  horse, 


3CO  THE  VETERANS.  [June, 

decorated  with  flowers.  After  saluting,  the  general  dis 
mounted  and  went  into  the  pavilion,  where  President 
Johnson  invited  him  to  take  a  seat  by  his  side.  The 
column  then  marched  past  at  quick  time,  the  bands 
wheeling  out  and  playing  as  their  respective  brigades 
passed.  All  the  officers  saluted  and  the  colors  were 
drooped  before  the  president.  The  mounted  officers 
appeared  to  advantage,  especially  brevet  Major-Generals 
Prank  Wheaton,  Ricketts  and  L.  S.  Grant,  who  were 
splendidly  mounted.  The  Second  Rhode  Island,  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  E.  H.  Rhodes,  sustained  the  military 
reputation  of  that  state.  The  light  batteries  made  a  fine 
show,  moving  battery  front.  The  men  were  clean  and 
neatly  uniformed,  the  pieces  and  harnesses  were  in  good 
•order,  and  the  horses  in  excellent  condition.  Batteries 
O  and  H  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  were  in  every  way  up 
to  the  standard  of  excellence."  General  Edwards's  bri 
gade  on  this  occasion  consisted  of  the  82nd  Pennsylvania 
Veteran  Volunteers,  brevet  Brigadier-General  I.  B.  Bas- 
sett,  Second  Rhode  Island  Veteran  Volunteers,  49th 
Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteers,  Colonel  B.  J.  Hick- 
man,  37th  Massachusetts,  Major  M.  W.  Tyler,  and  the 
5th  Wisconsin,  Colonel  T.  S.  Allen.  At  the  end  of  the 
review  the  corps  marched  back  to  its  camps. 

It  is  but  needful  now  to  record  the  changes  and 
promotions,  and  then  proceed  to  bring  our  narrative  to 
an  end.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Rhodes  won  his  brevet  of 
colonel,  to  date  from  April  2nd,  for  gallant  and  meritori 
ous  conduct  in  the  attack  on  Petersburg,  and  was  pro 
moted  to  colonel  by  Governor  Smith,  to  date  from  July 
18th.  Major  Young  was  brevetted  lieutenant-colonel,  to 
date  from  March  13th,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
conduct  during  the  campaign,  and  promoted  to  a  full 
lieutenant-colonelcy,  July  18th.  He  remained  in  the 


1865.]  HOME   AT   LAST.  361 

service  and  accompanied  General  Sheridan  to  his  com 
mand  in  the  Southwest  after  the  war  had  ended.  Captain 
Tlmrber  of  D  was  promoted  to  major,  July  18th.  Adju 
tant  Smith  was  absent  from  the  Regiment  from  June 
18th,  1864,  to  May,  1865,  in  hospital,  recovering  from  his 
wound,  and  after  recovery  on  detached  service  at  Elmira, 
Kew  York.  His  duties  were  performed  by  Second  Lieu 
tenant  Easterbrook  of  B,  First  Lieutenant  Small  of  B, 
Tirst  Lieutenant  Halliday  of  E,  and  First  Lieutenant 
Carr  of  G.  Assistant  Surgeon  Smith  was  promoted  to 
surgeon,  March  10th.  Commissary-Sergeant  Burton  was 
mustered  out,  June  20th,  Sergeant  J.  F.  Bowen  of  H 
was  promoted  to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  to  second  lieuten 
ant,  July  loth.  Hospital  Steward  Loper  was  mustered 
out,  June  20th.  Sergeant  Benoni  Sweet  of  C  was  pro 
moted  to  sergeant-major,  March  29th,  and  to  second 
lieutenant,  July  15th. 

Among  the  line  officers  the  following  changes  and 
promotions  are  recorded:  Second  Lieutenant  Dorrance 
of  E  bre vetted  first  lieutenant,  April  2nd,  commissioned 
first  lieutenant,  December  5th,  1864,  but  not  mustered 
as  such;  July  llth,  First  Lieutenant  Carr  of  G  promoted 
to  captain;  Second  Lieutenant  J.  McKay  of  D  to  first 
lieutenant;  15th,  Second  Lieutenant  Burt  of  H  to  first 
lieutenant;  18th,  First  Lieutenant  West  of  D  to  captain. 
First  Lieutenant  Gould  of  F  was  discharged,  February 
28th;  Second  Lieutenant  Arnold  of  B  was  cashiered, 
April  21st;  Brevet  Captain  Halliday  of  E  was  mustered 
out,  May  19th;  First  Lieutenant  Tourjee  of  A  resigned, 
June  14th;  Second  Lieutenant  Peck  of  G  resigned,  June 
30th. 

Among  the  warrant  officers  and  enlisted  men  the 
following  promotions  were  made:  May  19th,  Sergeant 
Thomas  Brennan  of  C  to  second  lieutenant;  July  llth, 
31 


362  THE   VETERANS.  [June, 

Sergeant  Jotham  Waterman  of  B  to  first  lieutenant; 
July  15th,  Sergeant  Watson  of  A  to  second  lieutenant; 
Sergeant  Lewis  of  C  to  second  lieutenant;  Sergeant 
Oeorge  Mowry  of  D  to  second  lieutenant;  Sergeant  W. 
J.  Babcock  of  B  to  second  lieutenant.  January  1st, 
Corporal  Thomas  Brennan  of  C  was  promoted  to  ser 
geant  and  to  second  lieutenant,  as  above;  private  Peter 
Frederick  of  C  to  corporal;  February  1st,  private  Emuel 
Biere  of  F  to  corporal;  14th,  Corporal  George  Mowry  of 
D  to  sergeant  and  to  second  lieutenant,  as  above;  April 
1st,  Corporal  T.  E.  Muller  of  C  to  sergeant,  and  private 
Rufus  Shippee  of  B  to  corporal;  18th,  private  George  E. 
Potter  to  sergeant,  and  private  Israel  D.  Simmons,  both 
of  B,  to  corporal;  May  5th,  Corporal  Charles  H.  Jordan 
of  C  to  sergeant. 

The  following  promotions  are  given  without  date: 
Corporals  Frank  Alexander  of  E  and  W.  C.  Bosworth  of  H 
to  sergeant;  privates  J.  A.  Bushee  of  E,  George  II.  Bucklin 
of  F,  and  Joel  F.  Crocker  of  G,  to  sergeant;  privates  J. 
H.  Coyle  and  John  Neenan  of  A,  G.  W.  Ballou  of  D, 
and  William  E.  Rhodes  of  H,  to  corporal  and  sergeant; 
privates  A.  II.  Abbott  and  George  Deitz  of  A;  H.  N. 
Ballou,  J.  H.  Brophy,  Patrick  Carroll,  P.  T.  Jones,  Jean 
Lachariche  and  J.  W.  Potter  of  C;  Nelson  Barber,  Charles 
W.  Brown,  F.  A.  Brown,  Thomas  McCabe,  Michael 
Martin,  David  O'Brien,  Thomas  Randall  and  Charles 
Waterman  of  D;  S.  H.  Angell,  R.  T.  Burton,  John 
Fanning,  A.  P.  Horton,  James  Mansell,  Alexander 
Mills,  William  Pierce,  Jr.,  and  E.  S.  Sherman  of  E; 
T.  A.  Coghill,  G.  A.  Lindall  and  J.  T.  Glancey  of  F; 
J.  K.  King  and  C.  W.  Stearns  of  G,  and  R.  I.  Chappell 
and  Edward  Kenney  of  H,  to  corporal. 

The  following  were  discharged:  February  17th,  Cor 
porals  Binns  and  Brophy  of  C;  27th;  Corporal  Hathaway 


18G5.]  HOME   AT   LAST.  363 

of  A;  June  6th,  Corporal  C.  W.  Brown  of  D;  10th, 
Sergeant  Redding  of  D;  20th,  Sergeant  John  Neenan  of 
A;  29th,  Corporal  Lindall  of  F.  The  following  died: 
January  12th,  Corporal  Vallett  of  D;  April  27th,  Cor 
poral  Grey  of  E;  May  15th,  Sergeant  J.  A.  King  of  C; 
22nd,  Corporal  Shaw  of  F.  Sergeant  John  Lawrence  of 
C  and  eleven  men  were  transferred  at  different  times  to 
the  veteran  reserve  corps. 

The  rest  of  the  story  is  soon  told.  In  the  latter  part 
of  June  the  Sixth  Corps  dissolved.  Indeed  the  dissolu 
tion  began  immediately  after  the  review  of  the  8th. 
Company  E  of  the  Second  was  mustered  out  on  the  19th, 
and  immediately  departed  for  home.  The  company 
arrived  at  Providence  in  the  afternoon  of  the  22nd,  and 
was  received  with  the  proper  demonstrations  by  the  state 
authorities — a  salute  by  the  Marine  Artillery,  an  escort 
by  the  Mechanic  Rifles,  and  a  collation.  On  the  disso 
lution  of  the  Sixth  Corps  a  new  provisional  corps  was 
formed,  under  the  command  of  General  Wright.  The 
Second  Regiment  was  retained  in  the  service,  and  was 
assigned  to  the  3rd  brigade,  General  Hamblin,  of  the  1st 
division,  General  Getty.  It  was  the  design  of  the  mili 
tary  authorities  to  station  this  command  at  some  point 
in  Western  Maryland,  upon  the  line  of  the  Monocacy. 
But  the  design  was  never  carried  out.  The  corps  which 
was  ordered  to  be  organized  on  the  28th  was  disbanded 
and  dissolved  on  the  7th  of  July.  It  was  found,  that  the 
troops,  having  passed  through  the  war  and  finished  it, 
were  not  disposed  to  remain  contentedly  inactive  in  the 
piping  times  of  peace.  Their  comrades  had  returned 
home,  their  own  service  was  superfluous,  arrearages  of 
pay  had  accumulated,  rations  were  scanty  and  poor,  the 
daily  drill  was  an  intolerable  burden,  and  the  discontent, 
which  an  enforced  idleness  is  sure  to  breed,  began  to  show 


364  THE   VETERANS. 

itself.  In  point  of  fact,  the  government  needed  no  such 
army  any  longer,  and  it  was  best  that  both  officers  and 
men  should  be  discharged  from  military  duty. 

The  Second  Regiment  had  its  grand  celebration  of 
Independence  day,  when  Sergeant-Major  Sweet  delighted 
an  admiring  multitude  with  his  famous  "pancratical"" 
feats  and  performances.  Colonel  Rhodes  entertained  a. 
brilliant  company  at  his  headquarters,  ancl  the  glorious 
memories  of  the  past  were  duly  honored.  Four  days 
after,  it  was  known,  that  the  provisional  corps  had  been 
dissolved,  and  that  the  Regiment  was  to  go  home.  Four 
days  later  still  and  the  mnstering-out  rolls  were  completed, 
and  on  the  13th,  on  the  parade  ground  of  the  camp  at 
Hall's  Hill,  the  simple  ceremony  was  performed  which 
released  the  SECOND  RHODE  ISLAND  VETERAN  VOLUN 
TEERS  from  further  service  to  the  United  States. 

The  return  home  was  accomplished  without  incident. 
The  Regiment  left  camp  as  soon  after  it  was  mustered 
out  as  transportation  could  be  procured,  and  arrived  in 
Providence  at  midnight  of  the  17th.  It  had  been  ex 
pected,  that  the  arrival  would  be  made  at  4  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  by  the  regular  train,  which  reached  Provi 
dence  at  that  hour,  from  New  Haven  and  New  London. 
A  multitude  of  people  gathered  at  the  railroad  station  to 
greet  tke  returning  soldiers.  But  delays  occurred.  The 
train  did  not  leave  New  Haven  till  a  late  hour  in  the 
afternoon.  Besides  the  Second  the  llth  and  58th  Mass 
achusetts  were  on  the  train,  and  its  progress  was  necessa 
rily  slow.  After  a  ride  of  seven  tedious  hours  the  weary 
troops  were  glad  to  hear  the  whistle  of  the  locomotive, 
signalling  their  approach  to  Providence. 

The  guns  of  the  Marine  Artillery  soon  announced  the 
joyful  intelligence  to  those  who  had  been  patiently  wait 
ing  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  station.  They  were 


18G5.]  HOME   AT   LAST.  365 

joined  ere  long  by  many  of  the  friends  of  the  Regiment, 
and  when  the  soldiers  stepped  from  the  cars  they  were 
greeted  by  hearty  cheers  and  words  of  cordial  welcome. 
Company  A,  Pawtucket  Light  Guard,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Captain  Robert  McCloy,  received  the  Regiment 
and  escorted  the  command  immediately  to  Washington 
Hall,  where  Acting  Adjutant-General  Crandall  had  pre 
pared  a  bountiful  collation,  of  which  the  men  partook 
with  appetites  whetted  by  the  long  delay.  Those  who 
had  friends  in  the  city  and  its  neighborhood  were  at  once 
taken  in  charge  by  them,  and  the  rest  were  quartered  for 
the  night  at  the  Park  barracks.  The  time  and  circum 
stances  of  the  arrival  precluded  a  street  parade,  and  thus 
prevented  the  testimonials  of  admiration  and  respect, 
which  the  citizens  of  Providence  would  gladly  have 
shown  to  the  Regiment.  But  the  war  was  now  at  an 
end,  and  in  the  gladness  of  coming  home  in  peace,  the 
returned  soldiers  could  readily  pardon  any  apparent  lack 
of  enthusiasm  in  their  reception. 

The  men  were  paid  off  and  the  Regiment  was  finally 
disbanded  on  the  28th.  Colonel  Rhodes  on  that  day 
issued  the  following  appropriate  farewell  order  to  his 
command:  "COMRADES:  The  time  has  come  for  us  to 
part,  after  serving  together  for  over  four  years.  Before 
bidding  you  farewell,  I  wish  to  express  my  gratitude  to 
you  all  for  your  uniform  kindness  toward  me,  and  your 
attention  to  duty.  Nobly  have  you  served  your  country, 
gallantly  have  you  followed  our  battle-scarred  flags 
through  the  fiercest  of  the  fight.  You  have  never 
allowed  the  good  name  of  our  native  state  to  suffer,  but 
have  added  to  its  historic  fame.  You  may  well  be  proud 
of  the  part  that  you  have  taken  in  preserving  the  Union. 
Your  commanding  officer  will  ever  be  proud  to  say,  that 
he  served  through  the  rebellion  in  the  Second  Rhode 
31* 


366  THE   VETERANS. 

Island  Volunteers,  and  will  remember  with  pleasure  the- 
brave  men  who  so  nobly  supported  him  during  the  time 
that  he  had  command.  We  are  now  to  commence  a  new 
career.  We  are  to  become  citizens.  Show  to  the  nation 
that  you  can  be  good  citizens  as  well  as  gallant  soldiers. 
Be  true  to  your  God,  your  country  and  yourselves. 
FAKE  WELL!" 

The  Second  Rhode  Island  Regiment  was  no  more.  It 
had  nobly  responded  to  the  hope  of  the  people  of  the- 
state,  when  it  first  went  forth  to  its  mission  of  duty, 
heroism  and  sacrifice.  On  many  fields  it  had  shown  its 
valor.  The  first  and  the  last  battle  of  the  war  had  borne 
equal  testimony  to  its  gallantry  and  fidelity  of  service. 
In  a  large  army  there  are  always  certain  regiments  which 
are  known  throughout  all  ranks  as  trustworthy  in  every 
duty  to  which  they  are  sent.  On  the  front  line,  at  the 
outposts,  or  in  reserve;  on  the  march,  in  camp,  upon  the 
field,  these  are  the  picked  men  —  the  men  to  lead  a  forlorn 
hope,  to  cover  a  retreat. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say,  that  the  Second  was  one  of 
these  trusted  regiments  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
It  was  known  every  where,  and  every  where  honored. 
Much  of  its  fame  was  due  to  the  character  of  its  com 
manding  officers.  The  reader  of  these  pages  must  be 
sufficiently  familiar  with  their  deeds.  But  —  let  the- 
word  which  was  declared  at  the  beginning  be  repeated 
at  the  end  —  much  also  of  its  good  repute  was  due  to  the- 
character  of  its  private  soldiers  —  the  material  of  which 
it  was  composed,  the  real  substance  of  its  life.  Mostly 
born  and  bred  in  Rhode  Island,  they  had  the  native 
independence  and  the  state  pride  which  are  characteristic 
of  the  commonwealth  where  they  had  their  origin.  Those 
from  other  states  and  those  who  were  born  in  other  lands, 
but  who  were  glad  to  fight  the  battles  of  liberty  for  the- 


1865.]  HOME    AT   LAST.  367 

country  they  had  adopted  for  their  own,  were  not  lacking 
in  patriotic  devotion  and  a  faithful  performance  of  the- 
national  duty.  The  list  of  their  battles  is  long  —  First 
Bull  Run,  siege  of  Yorktown,  Williamsburg,  Seven  Pines, 
Malvern  Hill,  Fredericksburg,  Marye's  Heights,  Salem 
Heights,  Gettysburg,  Rappahannock  Station,  Mine  Run, 
Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg,  Fort 
Stevens,  Opequan,  Fort  Stedman,  Fort  Fisher,  Hatcher's 
Run,  Petersburg  again,  Sailor's  Creek,  and  skirmishes 
numerous  and  frequent.  Honor  and  peace  to  the  memory 
of  those  who  fell  in  these  conflicts,  and  those  who  died  of 
disease  or  wounds,  in  the  performance  of  their  patriotic 
duty!  They  served  their  country  well,  dying  to  give  her 
life.  "Who  that  survives  the  warfare,  having  faithfully 
done  the  work  assigned  him,  but  has  reason  to  be  proud 
of  his  association  with  the  true  and  trusty  comrades, 
whose  names  the  Regiment  bears  upon  its  rolls?  In  the 
spirit  of  consecration  to  duty  they  have  discharged  their 
service  to  the  state,  writing  in  valiant  deeds,  and  with 
the  blood  of  self-sacrifice,  the  story  which  will  tell  to  all 
future  years  of  the  enduring  renown  of  the  SECOND- 
RHODE  ISLAND! 


PART    III. 


IN  IE10K1II, 


f^OLOXEL  JOHN  S.  SLOCUM  was  bom  in  the  town  of 
{"}  Richmond,  Rhode  Island,  November  1st,  18*24.  He 
°  was  instructed  in  the  public  schools  of  Bristol,  where 
he  spent  most  of  his  early  life,  in  the  classical  schools  of 
Fruit  Hill  and  Marlborough,  Massachusetts,  and  at  a 
commercial  academy  in  Hartford,  Connecticut.  His 
predilections  for  a  military  life  were  strong  in  youth,  and 
before  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  he  became  a  member 
of  the  National  Cadets  in  Providence.  He  afterwards 
commanded  the  Mechanic  Rifles.  At  the  opening  of  the 
Mexican  war  he  offered  his  services  to  the  government,  and 
received  a  commission  of  first  lieutenant  in  the  famous 
9th  regiment,  February  18th,  1847.  He  distinguished 
himself  at  the  battle  of  Contreras,  August  10th,  1847, 
winning  a  brevet  of  captain,  and  again  at  Chepultepec, 
September  12th  and  13th,  where  he  won  a  full  captaincy. 
At  the  end  of  the  war  his  regiment  was  disbanded,  and 
lie  returned  to  civil  life.  He  was  married  in  1858  to 
Miss  Abby  J.,  a  daughter  of  Hon.  Charles  T.  James  of 
Providence.  In  1860  he  was  a  member  and  secretary  of 


•"372  IN   MEMORIAL. 

the  examining  board  at  West  Point.  At  the  breaking 
out  of  the  rebellion  he  was  commissioned  major  of  the 
First  Regiment,  and  greatly  endeared  himself  to  the 
officers  and  men.  As  has  been  related,  he  was  appointed 
colonel  of  the  Second,  and  in  his  brief  command  won  the 
affection  and  admiration  of  the  Regiment  to  a  very  high 
•degree.  He  was  a  remarkably  gallant,  generous  and 
fearless  man,  and  no  officer  in  the  army  gave  greater 
promise  of  a  brilliant  future.  The  manner  of  his  fall 
and  death  at  Bull  Run  has  already  been  narrated,  and 
the  estimate  of  his  character  is  sufficiently  clear  to  the 
reader  of  the  foregoing  pages.  He  died  too  early  for  his 
country,  but  none  too  early  for  his  own  renown.  "  We 
expect  a  great  deal  of  Rhode  Island  troops  to-day,"  said 
Colonel  Hunter,  as  the  Second  went  into  the  battle. 
"You  shall  not  be  disappointed,  sir,"  replied  Colonel 
•Slocum  in  his  inimitable  way.  Then  turning  to  the 
Regiment  he  said :  "  Now  show  them  what  Rhode  Island 
can  do!"  and  thus  he  led  his  men  into  their  first  fight. 
The  spirit  of  that  injunction  has  made  the  history  of  the 
Regiment. 

Major  SULLIVAN  BALLOU,  the  son  of  Hiram  and 
Emeline  (Bo wen)  Ballon,  was  born  at  Smithfield,  Rhode 
Island,  March  28th,  1829.  In  1846  he  entered  Phillips 
Academy,  Andover,  Massachusetts,  and  in  1848,  Brown 
University,  Providence,  and  remained  there  two  years, 
when  he  entered  the  law  school  at  Ballston,  New  York. 
In  March,  1853,  lie  was  admitted  to  the  Rhode  Island 
bar,  and  practised  law  in  Pascoag,  Woonsocket  and  Provi 
dence,  winning  an  excellent  reputation  as  an  able  and 
successful  lawyer.  He  was  clerk  of  the  House  of  Repre 
sentatives  of  Rhode  Island  during  the  years  1854,  1855 
and  1856,  and  speaker  of  the  same  in  1857.  He  was 
married  in  the  summer  of  1855  to  Miss  Sarah  Hart 


IX   MEMORIAM.  373 

Shumway  of  Poughkeepsic,  New  York.  He  accepted 
the  post  of  major  of  the  Second  in  the  most  conscientious 
and  patriotic  spirit,  and  early  in  his  military  career, 
•although  without  previous  experience,  he  developed  a 
capacity  and  exhibited  gifts  and  aptitudes  for  the  pro 
fession  of  arms  which  would  doubtless  have  given  him 
high  rank  in  the  service.  He  died  as  he  had  lived,  a 
-calm,  courageous,  faithful,  Christian  man,  and  his  com 
rades  and  friends  cherish  his  memory  with  a  grateful 
pride  in  the  manliness  and  nobility  of  his  life. 

Brigadier-General  ISAAC  PEACE  BODXAX  was  born  in 
•South  Kingstown,  Rhode  Island,  August  18th,  1822. 
He  was  married,  June  15th,  1847,  to  Miss  Sally,  daughter 
of  Hon.  Lemuel  H.  Arnold.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
state  senate  at  the  opening  of  the  rebellion,  and  immedi 
ately  became  deeply  interested  in  the  movement  for  its 
suppression.  He  raised  one  of  the  first  companies  for  the 
Second  Regiment,  was  made  its  captain,  and,  in  com 
mand  of  Company.  E,  won  a  high  distinction  in  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run  for  his  steadiness  and  bravery.  The 
•details  of  his  military  career  have  already  been  put  on 
record.  Mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Antietam, 
September  17th,  1862,  he  lingered  until  the  30th,  when 
he  quietly  breathed  his  last,  attended  through  his  suffer 
ings  by  his  wife,  his  aide-de-camp,  Lieutenant  Benjamin 
Aborn,  and  his  brother-in-law,  Dr.  William  H.  Hazard. 
He  died  in  "  calm,  conscious,  peaceful  resignation."  He 
was  a  true  Christian  gentleman,  making  the  New  Testa 
ment  his  daily  companion.  His  friends  found  his  Bible, 
stained  and  clotted  with  his  blood,  when  they  took  him 
to  the  hospital.  For  modest  worth,  for  sustained  earnest 
ness  of  purpose,  for  conscientious  and  faithful  devotion 
to  duty,  General  Rodman  was  not  surpassed  in  the  army. 
In  the  spirit  of  humble  fidelity  he  gained  a  glorious  fame. 
32 


374  IX   MEMORIAL. 

"Respected  and  esteemed  in  the  various  relations  of 
life,"  says  General  Burnside,  in  the  order  announcing  his 
death,  "the  army  mourns  his  loss  as  a  pure-hearted 
patriot  and  a  brave,  devoted  soldier,  and  his  division  will 
miss  a  gallant  leader,  who  was  always  foremost  at  the 
post  of  danger.  He  has  left  a  bright  record  of  earnest 
patriotism,  undimmed  by  one  thought  of  self." 

Captain  LEVI  TOWER,  son  of  John  C.  and  Sarah 
O.  Tower,  was  born  in  Blackstone  (Mendon),  Massa 
chusetts,  August  18th,  1835.  He  went  through  the 
classical  course  of  the  University  Grammar  School  in 
Providence,  preparatory  to  entering  Brown  University. 
His  college  studies  were  interrupted  by  ill  health,  and  he 
left  the  university  to  engage  in  business  in  Pawtucket,  the 
residence  of  his  father.  Interested  in  military  matters,  he 
became  a  captain  in  the  Pawtucket  Light  Guard,  and 
when  the  rebellion  broke  out  he  entered  the  First  Rhode 
Island  as  an  ensign,  to  be  transferred  in  due  time  to  the 
Second,  as  captain  of  Company  F.  He  fell  at  the  very 
beginning  of  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  while  cheering  on 
his  men  to  the  fight.  He  is  spoken  of  as  a  young  man 
of  excellent  promise,  religious  in  his  tendencies  and 
disposition,  and  a  constant  attendant,  when  at  home,  of 
St.  Paul's  church,  Pawtucket.  With  a  brave  and  fearless 
spirit  he  joined  a  warm  and  affectionate  heart,  and  had 
the  rare  faculty  of  attaching  closely  to  himself  all  who 
came  within  the  circle  of  his  acquaintanceship.  "The 
best  part  of  his  story,"  writes  one  of  his  friends,  "is  his 
great  kindness  of  heart,  and  it  is  this  that  makes  his  loss 
to  his  family  so  irreparable.  He  was  very  susceptible  to 
all  moral  and  religious  teachings,  and  was  very  faithful 
in  all  the  trusts  confided  to  him.  He  never  wrote  home 
without  requesting  our  prayers  for  him."  His  fine  quali 
ties,  as  a  man  and  soldier,  endeared  him  to  his  comrades 


IN   MEMORIAM.  375 

of  the  First  and  Second  Regiments,  and  they,  in  common 
with  a  bereaved  community,  sincerely  mourned  his  death. 

Captain  SAMUEL  JAMES  SMITH  was  born  in  Seekonk, 
Massachusetts,  February  14th,  1836.  His  father,  Samuel 
Smith,  was  a  lieutenant  and  captain  in  the  war  of  1812. 
He  was  instructed  in  Thetford  Academy,  Vermont,  where 
he  spent  a  year.  He  afterwards  learned  the  business  of 
an  apothecary,  in  which  he  was  engaged  at  Woonsocket 
when  the  war  began.  He  was  a  member  of  the  National 
Cadets,  Providence,  and  of  the  Guards,  Woonsocket,  in 
the  latter  company  holding  a  commission  of  first  lieuten 
ant.  In  December,  1856,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet 
B.  Mason  of  Providence.  He  actively  engaged  in  the 
service  of  enlisting  men  when  the  call  for  the  Second  was 
made,  and  as  captain  of  Company  I  he  joined  the  Regi 
ment.  He  fell  on  the  retreat  from  Bull  Run,  and  the 
place  of  his  burial  is  unknown.  "In  all  the  relations  of 
life,"  says  the  writer  of  the  sketch  of  his  life  in  "  Rhode 
Island  Officers,"  "  Captain  Smith  bore  a  character  which 
was  unimpeachable.  As  an  officer  he  was  gentlemanly  in 
his  deportment,  of  unswerving  impartiality,  and  earnestly 
desirous  of  promoting  the  physical  and  moral  welfare  of 
the  men  under  his  command,  and  by  them  his  loss  was 
deeply  lamented.  In  his  first  and  only  conflict  he  bore 
himself  with  unfaltering  courage,  and  sealed  his  vows  of 
patriotism  with  his  blood." 

Captain  EDWIN.  K.  SHERMAN  leaves  an  honorable 
record  of  his  service  with  the  Regiment.  He  was  ap 
pointed  second  lieutenant  of  Company  C  at  its  organiza 
tion,  and  on  the  22nd  of  July,  1861,  he  was  promoted  to 
first  lieutenant  of  E.  His  skill  and  gallantry  were  con 
spicuous  at  Bull  Run,  and  his  faithfulness  was  marked 
in  every  duty  to  which  he  was  assigned.  He  was  pro 
moted  to  captain  of  Company  K,  November  28th,  1861. 


376  IN   MEMORIAM. 

The  exposures  of  military  service  and  the  hardships  of 
the  Peninsular  campaign  proved  too  much  for  his  physical- 
health.  He  fell  sick  in  the  early  summer  of  1862,  and 
died  in  Bellevue  hospital,  New  York  city,  July  15th  of 
that  year.  He  was  a  good  soldier  and  a  brave  man, 
and  it  is  to  be  regretted,  that  no  particulars  of  his  life- 
are  accessible  beyond  the  public  record  of  his  military 
career. 

Captain  JOHN  P.  SHAW,  son  of  General  James  Shawx 
'was  born  in  Providence,  January  3rd,  1834.  He  was- 
instructed  in  the  common  schools  of  Providence,  and 
became  by  occupation  a  jeweller.  He  was  married,  Sep 
tember  13th,  1854,  to  Amanda  0.,  daughter  of  William 
P.  Brightman.  At  the  outset  of  the  rebellion  he  joined 
the  First  Khode  Island,  as  sergeant-major,  and,  on  the 
formation  of  the  Second,  was  appointed  second  lieutenant 
of  Company  F.  He  was  successively  promoted  to  first 
lieutenant,  July  22nd,  1861,  and  captain,  July  24th,. 
1862,  of  Company  K.  He  was  particularly  efficient  as  a, 
drill  and  recruiting  officer,  and,  while  as  lieutenant, 
during  the  absence  of  his  captain,  he  received,  in  special 
orders,  the  congratulations  and  commendation  of  Colonel 
Wheaton,  for  the  "entire  success  with  which  he  had 
performed  the  duties  of  a  higher  grade."  In  battle  he- 
was  known  as  a  brave  and  gallant  officer,  and  was 
selected  more  than  once  to  perform  services  of  a  peculiarly 
difficult  kind.  He  fell  in  the  bloody  battle  before  Spott- 
sylvania  Court  House,  May  12th,  1864.  The  generous, 
words  of  Colonel  Edwards,  in  his  farewell  order  to  the- 
Second,  on  the  departure  of  the  Kegiment  from  Cold 
Harbor,  have  already  been  given.  In  a  private  letter  to- 
General  Shaw  the  colonel  rendered  an  additional  testi 
mony  of  his  regard:  "Captain  Shaw  died  fighting  so 
bravely,  was  so  conspicuous  among  the  bravest,  that  I 


IN   MEMOHIAM.  377 

could  not  help  noticing  him  particularly.     I  and  all  that 
knew  him  are  fellow  mourners." 

Captain  JOSEPH  MC!NTYRE  was  a  resident  of  Paw- 
tucket,  and  entered  upon  military  service  as  second  lieu 
tenant  of  Company  H,  in  the  Fifth  Rhode  Island  Heavy 
Artillery,  November  llth,  1862.  He  was  promoted  to- 
first  lieutenant,  February  14th,  1863,  and  on  the  17th  of 
the  same  month  was  promoted  to  captain,  transferred  to* 
the  Second,  and  assigned  to  the  command  of  Company 
E.  He  was  with  the  Regiment  during  the  campaigns  of 

1863,  and  fell  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5thr 

1864.  His  military  record  was  honorable,  and  he  died 
calmly  and  bravely,  with  his  face  to  the  foe. 

Assistant  Surgeon  Lucius  S.  BOLLES,  the  son  of  Rev. 
Lucius  S.  and  Sarah  (Noyes)  Bolles,  was  born  in  Boston r 
Massachusetts,  April  21st,  1837.  He  was  educated  at 
the  University  Grammar  School  and  Brown  University,. 
Providence,  graduating  in  1859.  He  studied  medicine- 
with  Doctors  Okie  and  Wilcox  and  at  the  medical  school 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  receiving  his  degree  of 
doctor  in  medicine  in  1861.  He  was  appointed  assistant 
surgeon  in  the  Second  Regiment,  March  9th,  1863,  but  was 
obliged  to  resign,  September  10th,  on  account  of  the  death 
of  a  brother,  which  called  him  home.  Settling  in  Phila 
delphia,  he  was  attached  to  one  of  the  military  hospitals 
in  that  city  till  the  close  of  the  war.  In  June,  1865,  he 
married  Gertrude,  daughter  of  Dr.  B.  S.  Janney  o>f 
Philadelphia.  A  man  of  delicate  constitution,  he  was 
hardly  fitted  to  endure  the  hardships  of  military  service. 
But  he  was  very  faithful  to  all  his  duties,  and,  by  the 
kindness  of  his  heart,  a  genial  temper,  and  great  social 
gifts,  he  endeared  himself  very  warmly  to  the  officers  and 
men  of  the  Regiment  during  his  brief  term  of  service.. 
He  died  in  Philadelphia,  August  loth,  1873. 
32* 


378  IX   MEMORIAL. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  HENRY  H.  YOUNG  (Veterans)  en 
tered  the  service  as  one  of  the  original  officers  of  the- 
Second.  He  was  appointed  second  lieutenant  and  as 
signed  to  Company  B.  His  promotion  to  first  lieutenant 
and  captain  of  the  same  company  soon  followed  —  the 
former  on  the  22nd  of  July,  the  latter  on  the  12th  of 
November,  1861.  Deciding  to  remain  in  the  service  after 
the  Regiment  returned  home,  he  was  the  ranking  officer 
in  -the  Battalion  of  Veterans.  He  had  been  assigned  for 
special  duty  on  several  occasions,  and  'both  in  camp  and 
the  field  he  proved  himself  an  excellent  officer  —  at  all 
times  brave,  steady  and  skillful.  But  the  service  in 
which  he  won  the  greatest  distinction  was  that  of  scout 
ing,  and  he  successively  gained  promotion  to  major  and 
lieutenant-colonel.  He  was  known  throughout  the  Shen- 
andoah  Valley  for  his  remarkable  adroitness,  fertility  of 
resource,  and  success.  Friends  and  enemies  testified 
alike  their  admiration  of  his  courage  and  sagacity.  Gen 
eral  Sheridan  took  a  hearty  interest  in  his  career,  and  a 
warm  friendship  sprung  up  between  them.  After  the- 
close  of  the  war  Sheridan  was  ordered  to  the  Southwest, 
in  command  of  the  military  division  of  the  Gulf,  to 
watch  the  operations  and  movements  of  the  French 
troops  on  the  Mexican  frontier.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Young  was  appointed  aide-de-camp  and  chief  of  scouts. 
He  .was  as  active  and  successful  for  a  time  in  this  new 
field  of  enterprise  as  he  had  been  in  Virginia.  But  after 
a  brief  term  of  service  he  entered  into  the  employment  of 
the  Mexican  (Patriot)  government,  and  was  engaged  for 
a  time  in  raising  recruits  for  service  against  the  troops  of 
Maximilian.  Ii*  one  of  his  expeditions  in  Mexico,  in  the 
winter  of  1866-1867,  he  and  his  party  were  attacked, 
and  while  crossing  the  Rio  Grande  the  daring  leader  lost 
his  life.  He  is  supposed  to  have  been  shot  while  in  the 


IN   MEMORIAM.  370 

river,  and  his  body  was  never  recovered.  In  every  mili 
tary  duty  he  was  always  found  faithful.  But,  in  the 
peculiar  line  of  service  in  which  he  was  engaged  during 
the  last  year  of  the  war,  he  had  no  superior  in  our  Eastern 
armies.  General  Sheridan's  staff  officer,  whose  descrip 
tion  of  Young's  scouts  has  been  quoted,  calls  their  leader 
"an  excellent  officer,  fond  of  adventure,  brave,  and  a. 
good  disciplinarian."  It  would  have  been  a  great  satis 
faction  to  be  able  to  throw  some  light  upon  the  mystery 
which  surrounds  his  fate. 

Adjutant  THORXDIKE  JAMESOX  SMITH  (Veterans)  was 
born  in  Providence,  June  15th,  1843,  and  was  instructed 
in  the  public  schools  of  the  city  and  at  the  Fruit  Hill 
Classical  Institute.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company 
D,  and  was  mustered  in  among  the  original  members  of 
the  Regiment.  His  good  conduct  in  battle  and  his  strict 
attention  to  his  duties  in  camp  attracted  the  attention  of 
his  officers,  and  he  was  accordingly  advanced  to  lance- 
corporal,  February  5th,  1862,  to  sergeant,  August  12-th, 
1862,  to  sergeant-major,  February  22nd,  1863,  to  second 
lieutenant  of  Company  F,  September  7th,  1863.  His 
promotion  gave  great  satisfaction  both  to  officers  and 
men,  for  his  acknowledged  bravery  had  secured  their 
respect,  and  his  genuine  kindness  of  heart  and  helpful 
ness  had  won  their  admiration.  Remaining  with  the 
Veterans,  he  was  immediately  appointed  adjutant  of  the 
Battalion,  and  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  July 
16th,  1864.  On  the  18th  of  June  he  was  severely  and,  as 
was  supposed  at  the  time,  mortally  wounded,  in  the 
attack  on  Petersburg.  Contrary  to  expectation,  he  ral 
lied  from  the  wound  and  was  sent  north,  where  he 
recovered  sufficiently  to  be  appointed  post  adjutant  at 
Elmira,  New  York.  He  remained  at  this  point  for 
several  months,  meanwhile  receiving  his  promotion,  as. 


380  IN   MEMORIAM. 

above.  Here  also  he  was  brevetted  captain,  to  date  from 
August  1st,  18G4.  He  returned  to  the  Regiment,  April 
15th,  1805,  and  continued  with  it  until  it  was  mustered 
out  of  the  service.  After  the  war  he  engaged  in  business 
in  Providence  for  a  time,  and  then  removed  to  Webster, 
Massachusetts,  where  he  died,  June  18th,  1869,  from  the 
effects  of  the  wound  received  five  years  before.  Brave, 
cool  and  steady  in  action,  generous,  high-minded,  and 
honorable  in  all  his  personal  intercourse,  he  was  highly 
respected  by  all  his  comrades  and  warmly  loved  by  those 
who  knew  him  well. 

Captain  CHARLES  W.  GLEASOST  (Veterans),  born  in 
Sterling,  Connecticut,  July  3rd,  1838,  was  the  son  of 
Leander  and  Almira  A.  Gleason,  and  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation.  He  was  one  of  the  original  members  of 
Company  A,  and  was  mustered  in  as  private,  June  5th, 
18G1.  He  was  promoted  to  corporal,  August  20th,  1861; 
to  sergeant,  January  17th,  1862;  to  second  lieutenant  of 
Company  A  (Veterans),  July  16th,  1864;  to  first  lieuten- 
tenant,  October  1st,  1864,  for  gallant  conduct  at  the 
battle  of  Opequan,  for  which  he  was  also  brevetted 
captain,  to  date  from  September  19th;  to  captain  of 
Company  G,  January  31st,  1865.  He  had  gone  un- 
wounded  through  the  war  until  the  last  battle.  He  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865, 
while  gallantly  engaged  with  his  company  in  resisting  the 
charge  of  the  enemy.  He  was  the  oldest  of  four  children, 
three  sons  and  a  daughter.  His  next  younger  brother, 
Nathan  H.,  was  a  corporal  and  sergeant  in  the  Fifth 
Rhode  Island,  served  three  years,  and  has  since  died. 
The  youngest  brother,  Parmenius  W.,  was  also  for  a  tima 
in  the  service,  and  has  also  died  since  the  war.  Captain 
Gleason  was  a  good  soldier  in  every  respect,  a  true  and 
constant  friend,  an  honorable,  gallant,  upright,  faithful 


IX   MEMORIAM.  381 

• 

man,  winning  the  regard  of  all  who  know  him  in  the* 
different  relations  of  life.  He  was  a  member  of  the> 
Masonic  fraternity,  having  been  initiated  while  at  home 
upon  leave  of  absence  from  the  Regiment. 

First  Lieutenant  THOMAS  H.  CARR,  born  in  Provi 
dence,  May  2nd,  1826,  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
T.  Carr.  He  was  instructed  at  the  academies  in  Plain- 
field,  Connecticut,  and  Uxbridge,  Massachusetts.  Pre 
vious  to  the  war  he  was  engaged  in  business  pursuits. 
He  entered  the  army  as  second  lieutenant  of  Company  E 
in  the  Second,  November  7th,  1861.  He  was  promoted 
to  first  lieutenant  of  Company  H,  January  24th,  1862.. 
He  faithfully  performed  the  duties  of  his  office,  in  the- 
different  service  which  the  Regiment  performed,  and  i& 
spoken  of  as  "a  brave,  efficient  and  worthy  officer  and 
soldier."  His  military  life  and  the  privations  connected: 
with  it  impaired  his  health,  and  he  Teturned  home  on. 
sick  leave  in  the  autumn  of  1862.  He  gradually  failed 
in  strength,  and  died  on  the  1st  of  January,  1863. 

First  Lieutenant  MOSES  W.  COLLINS  was  appointed 
second  lieutenant  and  assigned  to  Company  B,  July 
30th,  1861,  and  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  July  24th,. 
1862.  He  was  by  occupation  a  printer,  and  was  before- 
the  war  publisher  and  editor  of  the  Phenix  Weekly 
Journal.  He  passed  through  the  Peninsular  campaign,, 
and  Avon  the  reputation  of  a  very  intelligent  and  brave> 
officer.  But  his  physical  strength  was  insufficient  for 
a  soldier's  life,  and  he  resigned,  December  27th,  1862. 
He  was,  however,  indisposed  to  give  up  the  service, 
and  obtained  an  appointment  as  second  lieutenant,  Third 
Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  August  18th,  1863.  He  remained 
in  this  office,  on  duty  with  his  regiment  in  Louisiana, 
until  December  27th,  1864,  when  he  was  honorably 
discharged  and  returned  to  Rhode  Island.  But  his 


382  IN   MEMORIAM. 

health  was  shattered,  and  he  died  at  Phenix  after  his 
return  home. 

First  Lieutenant  WILLIAM  II.  PERRY  (Veterans),  a 
resident  of  Pawtucket,  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company 
I,  and  was  mustered  in,  June  6th,  1861.  He  was  pro 
moted  to  corporal,  November  4th,  1861,  and  to  sergeant, 
June  24th,  1863.  He  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863, 
and  was  appointed  first  sergeant  in  C.  He  was  promoted 
to  second  lieutenant  of  A,  October  1st,  1864,  and  to  first 
lieutenant  of  F,  January  31st,  1865.  He  won  his  way 
along  by  his  own  merit  and  bravery,  and  proved  himself 
as  efficient  in  the  line  as  he  had  been  faithful  in  the 
ranks.  He  fell  fighting  bravely  by  the  side  of  Captain 
Gleason,  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenant  CLARKE  E.  BATES,  son  of  Daniel 
and  Hannah  Bates,  was  a  native  of  North  Kingstown,  at 
the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  Regiment  a  resident 
of  Warwick,  and  was  an  operative  by  occupation.  He 
enlisted  in  Company  A,  and  was  made  first  sergeant  upon 
the  discharge  of  Sergeant  Wilson,  July  13th,  1861.  In 
this  difficult  position  he  remained  for  nearly  two  years, 
faithfully  and  diligently  performing  its  duties.  On  the 
22nd  of  February,  1863,  he  was  promoted  to  second 
lieutenant  of  Company  I,  an  advancement  which  he  had 
fairly  earned  by  his  gallant  bearing  in  battle  and  his 
intelligent  and  thorough  fidelity.  He  received  a  severe 
wound  in  the  leg  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May 
3rd,  1863,  and  was  obliged  to  undergo  amputation. 
Although  of  a  robust  constitution,  he  gradually  failed 
from  the  effects  of  the  wound,  and  died  on  the  18th  of 
July.  He  is  spoken  of  as  generous,  fearless,  firm,  of  good 
judgment,  and  possessing  all  the  qualities  of  a  good 
soldier.  A  wife  and  one  child  survived  to  mourn  his 
death. 


IN   MEMORIAM.  383 

First  Lieutenant  JOSEPH  S.  MANCHESTER,  born  in 
Bristol,  the  son  of  Luther  and  Sarah  P.  Manchester,  was 
one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Regiment,  and  on 
being  mustered  in  was  appointed  first  sergeant  of  Com 
pany  G.  He  was  promoted  to  second  lieutenant  of  the 
same  company  on  the  22nd  of  July,  1861,  and  resigned 
on  the  llth  of  December  in  the  same  year.  He  reentered 
the  service,  September  6th,  1862,  as  sergeant-major  of 
the  Seventh  Rhode  Island,  was  severely  wounded  in  the 
battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December  13th,  1862,  was 
promoted  to  second  lieutenant  of  Company  B,  January 
7th,  1863;  to  first  lieutenant,  March  1st,  1863,  and 
resigned,  July  26th,  1864.  He  died  in  Providence,  of 
consumption,  May  4th,  1872.  As  his  strength  permitted, 
he  was  a  gallant  and  faithful  soldier. 

First  Lieutenant  ISAAC  M.  CHURCH  entered  the  service 
as  second  lieutenant  of  Company  E.  He  was  a  clergy 
man  by  profession,  and  was  at  one  time  pastor  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Wakefield,  (South  Kingstown).  He 
represented  the  town  of  South  Kingstown  in  the  General 
Assembly  of  1860.  At  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  he  was 
taken  prisoner,  and  continued  in  the  hands  of  the  rebel 
authorities  at  Richmond  for  a  considerable  period.  Mean 
while,  he  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  of  Company  H, 
September  28th,  1861.  After  his  release  he  was  appointed 
captain  of  Company  G,  Fourth  Rhode  Island,  August 
27th,  1862,  and  resigned,  December  27th,  1862.  His 
health  was  impaired  by  his  captivity,  and  he  never  fully 
recovered  his  former  strength.  He  died  at  Xorth  Kings 
town,  October  27th,  1874. 

First  Lieutenant  GEORGE  A.  PEARCE,  son  of  Daniel 
W.  and  Ruth  S.  Pearce,  was  born  in  North  Kingstown, 
January  13th.  1839.  He  was  by  occupation  a  carpenter. 
He  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  Company  F, 


384  IN   MEMORIAL. 

having  been  mustered,  June  6th,  1861.  He  was  promoted 
to  corporal,  December  22nd,  1862,  reenlisted,  December 
26th,  1863,  and  was  discharged  on  the  28th  of  April, 
1864.  He  was  examined  by  the  board  constituted  for 
the  examination  of  officers,  and  was  commissioned  first 
lieutenant  in  the  llth  United  States  Colored  Heavy 
Artillery,  better  known  as  the  Fourteenth  Rhode  Island, 
to  date  from  the  day  of  his  discharge.  He  was  in  all 
the  engagements  with  the  Second  from  Bull  Run  to  the 
Wilderness.  He  acted  for  a  time  as  quartermaster  in  the 
llth,  but  his  assignment  was  to  Company  M.  He  died 
in  Central  .Falls,  November  19th,  1870,  of  malarious  fever 
contracted  in  Louisiana.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  character, 
whose  chief  aim  was  to  do  his  duty  to  God  and  his 
country. 

Second  Lieutenant  CHARLES  D.  HAMMETT,  Jr.,  was 
born  in  Jamestown,  Rhode  Island,  March  20th,  18-43. 
He  was  appointed  acting  masters  mate  in  the  LTnited 
'States  navy  in  the  summer  of  1861,  and  was  on  board  the 
steamer  Winona  at  the  passage  of  Forts  St.  Philip  and 
Jackson  and  the  capture  of  New  Orleans.  He  was  also 
present  at  the  passage  of  Vicksburg,  in  the  summer  of 
1862.  Mr.  Hammett  resigned  his  position  in  the  navy, 
October,  1862.  He  was  drafted  in  the  summer  of  1863, 
and  was  assigned  to  Company  D  in  the  Second,  being 
mustered,  November  19th  of  that  year.  He  was  dis 
charged  from  the  Second,  April  llth,  1864,  and  was 
commissioned  second  lieutenant  in  the  Third  Rhode 
Island  Cavalry,  to  date  from  March  18th.  He  proceeded 
to  Louisiana  to  join  his  regiment,  but  was  never  mustered. 
He  fell  sick,  and  died  in  St.  James  Hospital,  New 
Orleans,  September  13th,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenant  JAMES  A.  WADE,  the  son  of  Laban 
C.  Wade,  was  born  in  Johnston,  March  16th,  1841,  and 


IN   MEMORIAL.  385 

•was  instructed  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town. 
He  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into  Company  D  of  the 
Second,  October  8th,  1861.  He  passed  unhurt  through 
the  campaigns  of  the  Regiment,  and  reenlisted,  Decem 
ber  26th,  1863.  He  was  transferred  to  Company  B  of 
the  Battalion,  and  went  through  the  severe  service  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  and  in  front  of  Petersburg,  until  the 
last  battle  of  the  war  at  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865, 
where  he  received  a  mortal  wound,  and  died  two  days 
afterwards.  He  was  appointed  and  commissioned  second 
lieutenant  in  the  Third  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  but  through 
some  informality  he  was  never  discharged  from  the  Second 
for  promotion.  He  was  a  brave  soldier,  and  died  in  the 
cheerful  performance  of  patriotic  duty. 

Sergeant  SAXFORD  E.  Moox  of  Company  A  enlisted  as 
&  private  from  Warwick,  and  was  mustered  in,  June  5th, 
1861.  He  was  promoted  to  corporal,  August  20th,  1861, 
and  to  sergeant,  February  22nd,  1863.  He  was  a  fearless 
.and  gallant  soldier,  and,  always  ready  for  duty,  did 
not  hesitate  in  times  of  emergency  to  volunteer  for  any 
perilous  service  that  was  required.  He  was  shot  in  the 
battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863,  and  was  at  first 
reported  missing.  But  he  was  never  seen  alive  by  his 
-comrades  afterwards,  and  doubtless  died  before  the  battle 
was  over.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  enlistment  was  twenty-two  years  of  age. 

Sergeant  JAMES  H.  COYLE  (Veterans)  was  one  of  the 
original  members  of  Company  A.  He  was  a  laborer  by 
occupation,  and  was  twenty  years  old  at  the  time  of  his 
enlistment.  He  enlisted  from  Coventry,  and  after  pass 
ing  creditably  through  his  three  years  of  service,  reeii- 
listed,  December  26th,  1863,  and  was  appointed  corporal 
and  afterwards  sergeant  in  Company  A  of  the  Veteran. 
33 


386  IN   MEMORIAL. 

organization.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Opequan, 
September  19th,  1864,  and  again  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's 
Creek,  April  6th,  1865.  Of  the  injuries  received  in  the 
last  named  fight  he  died,  May  2nd.  He  was  very  generous 
and  helpful  to  his  fellow  soldiers,  and  proved  to  be  one  of 
the  best  men  in  his  company. 

Corporal  WILLIAM  P.  BENTLEY  of  Company  A  was 
one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Regiment,  and  was  a 
musician  by  occupation.  He  was  a  genial,  generous  and 
helpful  man,  of  cheerful  disposition,  and  a  favorite  among 
his  comrades.  He  was  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862,  having  both  legs  shot  off, 
and  died  soon  after  the  battle.  He  met  his  death  as 
cheerfully  and  bravely  as  he  had  lived,  leaving  a  large 
circle  of  friends  to  mourn  his  fall  and  cherish  his 
memory.  He  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  at  the  time  of 
his  death. 

Corporal  STILLMAN  T.  MATTESON  of  Company  A  was 
a  resident  of  Scituate,  and  enlisted,  August  1st,  1861. 
He  was  a  clerk  by  occupation,  and  twenty -four  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He  was  appointed 
corporal,  August  20th.  He  died  in  hospital  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  June  9th,  1862.  He  is  described  as  an 
intelligent  man,  a  good  comrade,  and,  as  a  soldier, 
remarked  for  his  quiet  and  unobtrusive  faithfulness. 

Corporal  JOEL  RICE  was  one  of  the  original  members 
of  Company  A,  and  was  a  resident  of  Warwick  at  the 
time  of  his  enlistment  as  a  private.  He  was  an  operative 
by  occupation,  a  man  of  cheerful  disposition  and  gallant 
bearing.  He  was  promoted  to  corporal,  January  17th, 
1862,  and  was  a  good  and  faithful  soldier.  He  was 
mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May 
3rd,  1863,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  died 
soon  afterwards. 


IN   MEMORIAL.  387 

Corporal  LEWIS  B.  WILSON  of  Company  A  enlisted  as 
a  private  from  Wai-wick,  and  was  mustered,  June  6th, 
1861.  He  was  born  in  Waltham,  Massachusetts,  May 
9th,  1837,  and  was  the  son  of  Asa  and  Amanda  Wilson. 
He  was  an  operative  by  occupation.  He  was  promoted 
to  corporal,  July  8th,  1862,  and  was  always  prompt  and 
efficient.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
May  5th,  1864,  having  gone  un wounded  through  every 
previous  battle  in  which  the  Regiment  had  been  engaged. 
He  was  shot  in  the  neck  and  died  instantly.  He  had 
been  looking  forward  to  his  discharge  and  his  return 
home,  with  pleasant  anticipation. 

Private  JAMES  ARMSTRONG  was  a  native  of  Ireland, 
enlisted  from  Providence  in  Company  A,  and  was  mus 
tered,  October  24th,  1861.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupa 
tion,  thirty-five  years  old,  of  bright,  quick  wit,  of  soldierly 
bearing,  and  a  good  comrade.  He  was  mortally  wounded 
in  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  Juner25th,  1862,  and  died 
soon  after  the  battle. 

Private  JAMES  CALLIGAN  (Veterans)  enlisted  from 
Providence,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  A,  Sep 
tember  29th,  1862.  He  was  transferred  to  Company 
A  in  the  Battalion  that  remained  in  the  field,  on  the 
return  of  the  Regiment.  He  was  taken  prisoner  early 
in  the  campaign  of  1864,  and  was  carried  to  Camp 
Sumter,  Andersonville,  Georgia.  Here  exposure,  heat, 
scanty  rations  and  insufficient  shelter  brought  on  disease, 
from  which  he  died,  August  27th,  1864.  He  was  a 
teamster  by  occupation,  and  eighteen  years  of  age  at 
the  time  of  his  enlistment. 

Private  MICHAEL  FAY  enlisted  from  Providence  in 
Company  A,  December  5th,  1861,  and,  after  passing 
through  the  Peninsular  campaign,  was  taken  sick  and 
died  in  Downesville,  Maryland,  September  27th,  1862. 


388  IX   MEMORIAM. 

He  was  by  occupation  a  moulder,  and  was  thirty-six  years- 
of  age  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment. 

Private  JAMES  B.  JORDAN  enlisted  from  Warwick,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  A,  June  5th,  1861.  He  was 
killed  in  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862,  by 
a  bullet  which  struck  his  breastplate  and  drove  it  into  his 
breast.  He  was  a  very  quiet,  inoffensive  man,  faithfully 
doing  his  duty  without  forwardness  or  pretension  of  any 
sort.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  was  twenty-nine  years  of  age. 

.Private  AMBROSE  W.  LAWTON  enlisted  in  Company  A 
from  Warwick,  was  mustered,  June  5th,  1861,  at  the  age 
of  thirty  years.  He  was  an  operative  by  occupation, 
went  unwounded  through  the  battles  of  the  first  two- 
years,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May 
12th,  1864.  He  is  described  as  a  willing  and  kind- 
hearted  man. 

Private  HENRY  C.  LAWTON  enlisted  in  Company  A 
from  Scituate,  Rhode  Island,  and  was  mustered,  June 
5th,  1861.  He  was  a  farmer's  boy,  but  eighteen  years  of 
age.  He  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 
21st,  recovered  and  returned  to  his  duty.  He  died,. 
April  7th,  1863,  of  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Private  JOHN  F.  LAWTON  enlisted  in  Company  A  from 
Scituate,  and  was  mustered,  August  llth,  1862.  He  was 
eighteen  years  of  age,  and  like  his  comrade  came  from  the 
farm.  His  bodily  strength  was  unequal  to  the  demands 
of  a  soldier's  life,  and  he  died,  November  12th,  1862. 

Private  GEORGE  MARSDEN  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  A,  and  enlisted  from  Coventry. 
He  went  safely  through  the  service  until  the  last  cam 
paign.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May 
12th,  1864.  He  was  twenty-nine  years  of  age  at  the  time 
of  his  enlistment,  and  was  by  occupation  a  weaver. 


IN   MEMORIAL.  389 

Private  HARRISON  G.  MATTESON  (Veterans),  brother  of 
Corporal  Matteson  before  mentioned,  enlisted  at  the 
same  time  with  his  brother.  He  went  faithfully  through 
his  three  years  of  service,  reenlisted  and  was  transferred 
to  Company  A  of  the  Battalion.  He  was  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  186-4,  and  was 
mustered  out  of  service,  December  27th,  1864.  He  has 
died  since  the  war,  from  the  effects  of  his  injuries. 

Private  CHRISTOPHER  MINER  enlisted  in  Company  A 
from  Warwick,  and  was  mustered,  June  5th,  1861.  The 
severities  of  the  Peninsular  campaign  were  too  much  for 
his  physical  strength.  He  died  in  hospital  at  Washing 
ton,  District  of  Columbia,  November  18th,  1862.  He 
was  an  operative  by  occupation,  and  was  nineteen  years 
of  age  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment. 

Private  JOHN  SPENCER,  son  of  John  A.  and  Jemima 
Spencer,  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  Connecticut.  He  was 
by  occupation  an  operative,  was  nineteen  years  of  age, 
enlisted  in  Company  A  from  Warwick,  and  was  mus 
tered,  June  5th,  1861.  He  died  in  hospital  in  New 
York  city,  June  28th,  1862.  He  was  an  excellent  soldier, 
of  a  fearless,  impetuous  character,  and,  had  he  lived, 
would  doubtless  have  won  distinction  and  promotion. 

Private  ALONZO  TOURJEE  enlisted  in  Company  A  from 
Warwick,  and  was  mustered,  June  6th,  1861.  He  was 
by  occupation  an  operative.  He  died  of  erysipelas,  near 
Spottsylvania,  May  8th,  1864,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine 
years. 

Sergeant  JAMES  C.  NICHOLS  enlisted  in  Company  B 
from  Providence,  and  was  mustered,  June  6th,  1861,  as 
fourth  sergeant.  He  was  a  machinist  by  occupation,  and 
twenty-three  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He 
was  promoted  to  first  sergeant,  December  30th,  1862,  in 
33* 


390  IN   MEMORIAL. 

recognition  of  his  faithfulness  of  service.  He  was  killed' 
at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863.  He  was 
a  good  soldier. 

Corporal  JOHN  BURKE  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  was  a 
sailor  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-two  years  of  age. 
He  was  conscripted  in  the  draft  of  1863,  and  was  mus 
tered  into  Company  B  on  the  12-th  of  August  of  that 
year.  He  was  wounded  severely  in  the  battle  of  Spott- 
sylvania,  May  12th,  1864.  Recovering  from  his  injury, 
he  was  transferred  to  Company  A  of  the  Battalion.  He 
is  recorded  as  corporal,  but  the  date  of  his  appointment 
is  not  given.  He  was  severely  wounded  once  more  in  the 
battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  and  of  his  injuries  he- 
died,  April  30th,  1865. 

Corporal  TOBIAS  A.  GOLDSMITH  enlisted  and  was  mus 
tered,  August  3rd,  1862.  He  was  a  clerk  by  occupation,, 
and  was  at  the  time  thirty  years  of  age.  He  was  assigned 
to  Company  B,  and  was  promoted  to  corporal,  November 
13th.  At  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863,. 
he  was  reported  missing.  He  was  probably  killed  in  the 
battle.  By  his  fidelity  and  bravery  he  had  won  the  good 
will  of  his  comrades  and  the  confidence  of  his  officers. 

Corporal  RICHARD  GREENE  enlisted  from  Scituate,  and1 
was  mustered  into  Company  B,  June  6th,  1861.  He- 
was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-six  years 
old  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He  was  appointed 
corporal,  October  12th,  1861.  He  was  taken  prisoner 
early  in  the  campaign  of  1864,  and  was  carried  to  Camp 
Sumter,  Andersonville,  where  he  died  in  August,  1864. 

Corporal  WILLIAM  GREEN  enlisted  from  Scituate,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  B,  June  6th,  1861.  He 
made  a  good  soldier,  and  was  promoted  to  corporal, 
November  1st,  1861.  He  fell  fighting  bravely  in  the- 
battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864.  He  was  an 


IX   MEMORIAM.  391 

operative  by  occupation,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,. 
May  26th,  was  about  thirty-nine  years  of  age. 

Corporal  JOB  TAXXER  enlisted  and  was  mustered, 
August  1st,  1861,  and  assigned  to  Company  B.  He  was 
a  carpenter  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-seven  years  of 
age  at  the  time.  He  was  promoted  to  corporal,  April 
1st,  1862.  He  passed  creditably  through  the  early  cam 
paigns  of  the  war,  but  was  severely  wounded  at  the  battle- 
of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864.  He  was  transferred 
as  corporal  to  Company  B  of  the  new  organization.  At 
the  time,  he  was  absent,  sick  in  hospital,  where  he  died, 
July  16th,  1864. 

Private  GEORGE  M.  ALLEX  was  one  of  the  original! 
members  of  Company  B,  and  enlisted  from  Providence. 
He  was  a  jeweller  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-three 
years  of  age  at  the  time.  He  contracted  disease  on  the 
Peninsula,  and  died  in  hospital,  David's  Island,  New 
York,  September  4th,  1862. 

Private  JOSEPH  BARTOX  enlisted  from  Providence, 
was  mustered,  October  15th,  1862,  and  assigned  to  Com 
pany  B.  He  was  a  fisherman  by  occupation,  and  was- 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  was  a  native  of  Xova  Scotia. 
He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th, 
1864.  At  first  it  was  thought,  that  his  injury  was  slight,, 
and  he  was  transferred  to  Company  A  of  the  Battalion, 
but  dangerous  symptoms  afterwards  appeared,  and  he- 
sank  beneath  his  wound,  dying,  September  27th,  1864. 

Private  HEXRY  M.  DAVIS  enlisted  from  Scituate,  and 
was  mustered,  Xovember  4th,  1862.  He  was  twenty-one- 
years  of  age,  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  soon 
contracted  sickness,  and  died  in  hospital,  April  5th,  1863. 

Private  ALBERT  B.  HUXTER  enlisted  from  Providence, 
was  mustered,  October  6th,  1861,  and  was  assigned  to. 
Company  B.  He  fell  a  victim  to  the  severities  of  the- 


392  IN   MEMORIAM. 

Peninsular  campaign,  contracted  typhoid  fever,  and  died 
at  Harrison's  Landing,  Virginia,  August  9th,  1862.  He 
had  the  best  of  care,  but  his  strength  was  too  much 
exhausted  to  throw  off  the  disease.  He  bore  the  reputa 
tion  of  a  true  man  and  a  good  soldier. 

Private  WILLIAM  D.  LITTLEFIELD  was  one  of  the 
original  members  of  Company  B.  He  was  a  laborer  by 
occupation,  and  at  the  time  of  enlistment  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  He  enlisted  from  Scituate,  and  passed 
unhurt  through  the  campaigns  of  1861  and  1862,  until 
the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863,  where  he 
was  killed  while  bravely  fighting. 

Private  WILLIAM  H.  MEDBURY  was  also  one  of  the 
original  members  of  Company  B,  and  enlisted  from 
Foster.  He  was  a  jeweller  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty- 
eight  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  went 
safely  through  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  and  the  Peninsular 
campaign,  but  at  the  battle  of  Malvern  Hill,  July  1st, 
1862,  he  was  taken  prisoner.  He  was  carried  to  Rich 
mond,  where  he  afterwards  died. 

Sergeant  CALEB  B.  KENT,  son  of  Hezekiah  and  Celia 
B.  Kent,  was  born  in  Seekonk,  Massachusetts,  (now  East 
Providence)  April  12th,  1840.  At  the  opening  of  the 
war  he  was  a  teamster  by  occupation,  and  twenty-one 
years  old.  He  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  Com 
pany  C,  and  enlisted  at  Providence.  He  was  appointed 
corporal,  August  1st,  1861,  and  sergeant,  May  17th,  1863, 
for  gallant  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May 
3rd,  1863.  In  the  skirmish  between  the  outposts  at 
Funkstown,  Maryland,  July  12th,  1863,  he  was  badly 
Avounded,  and  was  taken  to  the  hospital  at  Frederick 
City,  where  he  died,  July  25th.  His  parents  attended 
upon  him  while  in  the  hospital,  and  had  the  satisfaction 


IN   MEMORIAM.  39$ 

of  being  present  at  the  time  of  his  death.     He  was  u 
brave  and  faithful  soldier. 

Sergeant  HENRY  L.  TAFT  enlisted  from  Smithfield  in 
Company  C,  and   was  mustered,  June  5th,  1861.     He- 
was  a  machinist  by  occupation,  and  at  this  time  was  but 
eighteen  years  of  age.     He  was  appointed  corporal,  August , 
1st,  1861,  and  promoted  to  sergeant,  December  22nd, 
1862.     He  was  severely  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem 
Heights,  May  3rd,  and  died  on  the  llth  of  May,  1863. 
He  was  a  good  comrade  and  a  brave  soldier. 

Corporal  THOMAS  0.  II.  CARPENTER  enlisted  from 
Providence,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  C,  June 
5th,  1861.  He  was  a  teamster  by  occupation,  and  at  the 
time  of  enlistment  was  twenty-two  years  old.  He  was. 
appointed  corporal  and  assigned  to  the  color-guard.  His. 
position  naturally  made  him  a  mark  for  the  enemy's 
bullets  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  he  was  mortally 
wounded  and  died  before  the  day  had  passed.  He  fell 
bravely  defending  the  flag,  and  his  memory  is  honored 
as  a  gallant  and  fearless  soldier. 

Corporal  RICHARD  M.  GRANT  enlisted  in  Company  G- 
from  Providence,  and  was  mustered,  June   5th,    1861. 
He  was  at  this  time  nineteen  years  of  age,  and  was  a, 
laborer  by  occupation.     He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
color-guard,   but  came  unscathed  from   the  battle  in 
which  his  associate  met  his  death.     He  served  faithfully 
through  the  early  campaigns,  but  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864. 

Corporal  JOHN  BLAIR  of  Providence  was  one  of  the 
original  members  of  Company  C.  He  was  nineteen  years 
old,  and  was  a  sawyer  by  occupation.  He  was  appointed 
corporal,  December  22nd,  1862.  He  was  killed  on  the 
first  day  of  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864. 

Private  MATTHEW  ALGER  enlisted  from  Olneyville  in 


394  IN    MEMORIAM. 

Company  C,  and  was  mustered,  August  1st,  1861.  He 
was  an  operative  by  occupation,  and  at  the  time  of  enlist- 
ment  was  twenty  years  old.  He  was  wounded  in  the- 
battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  18G3,  and  died  in 
hospital,  May  14th. 

Private  ALFRED  C.  COLE  was  a  resident  of  Seekonk, 
Massachusetts,  was  mustered  into  Company  C,  June  6th> 

1861.  He  was  shot,  and  died  from  his  wounds,  on  the 
morning  when  the  Eegiment  marched  out  of  the  trenches 
at  Cold  Harbor  to  return  home,  June  5th,  1864.     He  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was 
twenty-two  years  of  age. 

Private  JOHN  FARRELL  enlisted  and  was  mustered 
into  Company  C,  August  24th,  1862.  He  was  wounded 
during  the  early  Virginia  campaign  of  1864,  and  died 
from  his  injuries  on  the  5th  of  June,  as  his  comrades 
were  taking  their  departure  for  Rhode  Island. 

Private  PATRICK  J.  MURPHY  enlisted  from  Scituate, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  C,  September  22nd, 

1862.  He  was   killed  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
May  5th,  1864. 

Private  JAMES  McCABE  enlisted  from  Olneyville  in 
Company  C,  and  was  mustered,  June  5th,  1861.  He  was 
an  operative,  and  was  twenty  years  of  age  at  the  time  of 
-enlistment.  He  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
July  21st,  1861,  and  was  taken  prisoner.  Released  in 
May,  1862,  he  returned  to  duty  with  the  Regiment.  He- 
was  afterwards  reduced  by  sickness,  and  died,  November 
15th,  1863. 

Private  ANDREW  McLANE  enlisted  from  the  same 
place  with  private  Murphy,  and  was  mustered  into  Com 
pany  C  on  the  same  day.  He  was  a  seaman  by  occupa 
tion,  and  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  was  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863. 


IN    MEMORIAM.  395 

Private  CHARLES  POWERS  enlisted  from  Providence, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  C,  December  24th, 

1861.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  nine 
teen  years  old  at  the  time  of  enlistment.     He  was  killed 
by  a  shell  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  3rd,  1863. 

Private  JOHN  H.  TAYLOR  enlisted  from  Providence, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  C,  June  5th,  1861.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  victims  of  the  Peninsular  campaign, 
dying  of  fever,  near  Warwick  Court  House,  April  16th, 

1862.  He  is  spoken  of  by  Chaplain  Jameson  as  "a  quiet, 
exemplary  man."     He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and 
was,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  twenty  years  of  age. 

Sergeant  NOAH  A.  PECK  enlisted  from  Barrington,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  D,  June  6th,  1861.  He 
was  a  carpenter,  thirty-two  years  old  at  the  time  of 
enlisting.  He  was  appointed  lance-corporal,  February 
-5th,  1862,  lance-sergeant,  November  13th,  1862,  and 
sergeant,  April  1st,  1863.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863,  and  succeeded  in  getting 
oil  the  field.  But  he  sank  beneath  the  effect  of  his  injuries, 
and  died,  June  9th,  1863.  He  was  a  good  soldier,  and 
won  his  successive  promotion  by  faithful  service/ 

Sergeant  WILLIAM  C.  WEBB  enlisted  from  Barrington, 
and  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  Company  D. 
He  was  a  carpenter,  and  twenty  years  of  age.  He  was 
appointed  corporal,  August  20th,  1861,  and  sergeant, 
November  13th,  1862.  He  reenlisted,  December  26th, 

1863.  but  did  not  live  to  enter  the  new  organization.     He 
was  killed  at  the  first  fighting  in  front  of  Spottsylvania 
Court  House,  May  8th,  1864.     His  bravery  and  fidelity 
are  amply  attested  by  his  promotions  and  his  reenlistment. 

Corporal  FREDERIC  W.  SWAIN  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  D,  and  was  appointed  corporal 


396  IX   MEMORIAL. 

upon  his  muster  in.  He  was  a  nailer  by  trade,  and  was 
thirty-one  years  old  at  the  time.  He  enlisted  from  Provi 
dence,  and  passed  creditably  through  the  early  campaigns 
of  the  Regiment.  He  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of 
Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862,  and  again  in  the  battle  of 
the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864.  The  latter  injury  was 
very  severe,  and  he  died  on  the  15th  from  its  effects. 
Although  he  remained  through  the  term  of  his  service  in 
the  position  which  he  at  first  occupied,  and  made  no 
•advancement  in  rank,  he  was  yet  a  steady,  faithful  and 
trustworthy  soldier. 

Private  GEORGE  B.  ATWOOD  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  D,  and  enlisted  from  Providence. 
He  was  a  cigar-maker,  twenty-nine  years  old  at  the 
time  of  enlisting.  He  was  captured  after  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  while  attending  to  the  wants  of  the  wounded, 
and  was  carried  to  Richmond  and  thence  to  Salisbury, 
North  Carolina.  He  was  released  in  May,  1862,  and  on 
the  29th  of  that  month  he  was  lost  overboard  from  the 
transport  Cossack,  while  on  his  voyage  north. 

Private  REUBEN  BARTLETT  enlisted  in  Company  D 
from  North  Providence,  and  was  mustered  in,  June  6th, 
1861.  He  was  instructed  in  Mr.  Howry's  select  and 
•classical  school  at  North  Providence,  which  he  left  at  the 
age  of  nineteen,  to  join  the  Regiment.  He  was  a  youth 
of  excellent  promise.  He  was  shot  dead  at  the  very 
outset  of  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861,  the  first, 
or  among  the  first,  to  fall. 

Private  JAMES  DUG  AX  was  drafted  and  mustered  into 
Company  D,  October  8th,  1862.  He  was  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864. 

Private  WILLIAM  E.  REYXOLDS,  son  of  Hazard  D.  and 
Sarah  E.  Reynolds,  was  born  in  Providence,  February 
22nd,  1S38.  By  occupation  he  was  a  jeweller.  He  was 


IX   MEMORIAL.  397 

one  of  the  original  members  of  Company  D.  He  went 
bravely  through  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  and  the  service  of 
the  following  autumn  and  winter.  Typhoid  fever  seized 
upon  him  soon  after  he  arrived  on  the  Peninsula,  and  he 
•died  in  hospital  at  Warwick  Court  House,  May  llth, 
1862.  He  was  interred  in  the  Revolutionary  burying- 
ground  near  Yorktown.  Captain  Brown  writes  of  him, 
that  his  conduct,  singularly  free  from  the  vices  of  the 
•camp,  "  had  endeared  him  to  his  company  commander 
and  knit  him  in  affection  to  his  comrades.  To  do  his 
whole  duty  in  the  service,  with  that  moral  integrity 
which  nobly  characterized  him,  was  his  preeminent 
aim." 

Private  LEANDER  R.  SHAW  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  D,  and  enlisted  from  Providence. 
He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  thirty-two  years  of  age. 

Private  GEORGE  H.  SMITH  enlisted  in  Company  D 
from  Providence,  and  was  mustered,  June  6th,  1861. 
He  was  a  jeweller,  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  went 
unhurt  through  the  campaigns  of  1861,  1862  and  1863, 
but  was  wounded  at  the  opening  of  the  campaign  of 
1864,  and  died,  June  10th,  from  the  effects  of  the 
injuries  he  had.  received. 

Private  ALBERT  STETSON  enlisted  from  Providence  in 
Company  D,  and  was  mustered,  June  6th,  1861.  He 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age. 

Private  CALEB  WILCOX  enlisted  from  Providence,  was 
assigned  to  Company  D,  and  was  mustered,  September 
1st,  1862.  He  was  a  seaman  by  occupation,  and  was 
thirty-two  years  of  age.  He  was  transferred  to  Company 
B  of  the  Battalion  at  the  time  of  the  departure  of  the 
Regiment  from  Cold  Harbor.  He  was  wounded  at  the 
31 


398  IX    MEMORIAM. 

battle  of  Opequan,  September  19th,  1864.  He  was 
afterwards  prostrated  by  disease,  and  died  in  hospital, 
June  8th,  18G5. 

Private  ETHAN  WHIPPLE,  Jr.,  the  son  of  Ethan  and 
Sarah  Whipple,  was  born  in  Providence,  March  28th, 
1832.  He  was  a  printer  by  occupation.  He  enlisted 
from  Providence,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  D, 
September  1st,  1862.  He  was  wounded  in  the  shoulder 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864.  On  his 
recovery  he  rejoined  the  Regiment  and  was  transferred 
to  Company  B  of  the  Veterans.  He  was  wounded  a 
second  time  in  front  of  Petersburg,  March  27th,  1865. 
He  was  struck  in  the  leg,  suffered  amputation,  and  was 
carried  to  Washington.  On  the  voyage,  mortification 
and  gangrene  were  developed,  and  the  leg  was  amputated 
twice  in  the  hospital  after  his  arrival,  but  without  avail. 
He  rapidly  sank  under  the  treatment,  and  died,  April 
5th.  His  body  was  brought  home  and  interred  in  Provi 
dence. 

Sergeant  PAUL  VISSER  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into 
Company  E,  July  29th,  1861.  He  was  by  occupation  a 
cigar-maker.  He  was  appointed  corporal,  August  1st, 
1861,  and  promoted  to  sergeant,  May  31st,  1863.  He 
was  killed  in  the  fight  with  the  enemy  after  the  battle  of 
the  Wilderness,  May  8th,  1864.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  he  was  of  the  age  of  twenty-six  years. 

Sergeant  JAMES  STANLEY,  the  son  of  Dennis  and 
Abigail  E.  Stanley,  was  born  in  Rehoboth,  Massachusetts, 
November  10th,  1832.  The  family  removed  to  Provi 
dence  while  he  was  yet  a  child.  He  was  instructed  in  the 
public  schools  in  Providence,  and  afterwards  learned  the 
trade  of  an  iron  moulder.  Upon  the  resignation  of  his 
brother  Edward,  Captain  Stanley  of  Company  E,  he  felt 


IX   MEMORIAM.  399 

that  duty  to  the  country  demanded  his  services.  He  left 
his  family,  a  wife  and  two  children,  enlisted  and  was 
mustered  into  Company  E,  September  15th,  1862.  He 
immediately  attracted  the  confidence  of  his  officers  and 
secured  the  attachment  of  his  comrades.  He  was  ap 
pointed  sergeant,  November  13th,  1862.  At  the  battle 
of  Salem  Heights  he  was  badly  wounded  in  the  hand, 
but  refused  to  leave  the  field  till  the  end  of  the  fight. 
He  was  taken  to  Washington,  but,  notwithstanding  all 
care  and  attention,  tetanus  set  in,  and  he  died  on  the 
22nd  of  May,  1863.  He  was  greatly  beloved  by  his 
comrades,  for  his  genial,  cheerful,  joyous  disposition, 
and  admired  for  his  coolness  and  bravery.  He  was  a 
gallant  and  faithful  soldier,  and  would  doubtless  have 
won  further  promotion  had  his  life  been  spared. 

Corporal  STEPHEN  HOLLAND  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  E.  He  was  a  weaver  by  occupa 
tion,  and  enlisted  from  South  Kingstown.  He  was  at 
once  appointed  corporal.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861.  He  was  thirty-four  years  of  age. 

Corporal  ESEK  B.  SMITH  enlisted  from  South  Kings 
town,  was  mustered  into  Company  E,  June  6th,  1861, 
and  appointed  corporal.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation, 
and  was  twenty  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment. 
Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
July  21st,  he  was  carried  to  Richmond,  and  there  died. 

Corporal  JOHX  G.  GRIXXELL  (Veterans)  enlisted  from 
South  Kingstown,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  E, 
June  6th,  1861.  He  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  and 
was  a  laborer  by  occupation.  He  reenlisted,  December 
26th,  1863,  and  on  the  organization  of  the  Battalion  he 
was  transferred  to  Company  B  as  corporal.  He  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Opequan,  September  19th,  1864, 
and  died  of  his  wounds,  October  5th,  1864. 


400  IN   MEMORIAM. 

Private  JOHN  G.  BRAMAN  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  E,  and  enlisted  from  South  Kings 
town.  He  was  over  fifty  years  of  age  at  the  time,  but,  at 
the  personal  solicitation  of  Captain  Rodman,  he  was 
accepted.  He  did  his  duty  faithfully  while  belonging  to- 
the  Regiment,  but  on  the  Peninsula  contracted  a  disease 
which  soon  unfitted  him  for  active  service,  and  he  was 
discharged,  September  16th,  1862.  He  died,  February 
21st,  1874. 

Private  THOMAS  DAGNAN  enlisted  from  Johnston,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  E,  January  22nd,  1862.  He 
was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  forty-two  years  of 
age.  He  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organ 
ization,  and  died  at  the  hospital  on  David's  Island,  New 
York,  June  16th,  1864. 

Private  JOB  H.  HUNT  enlisted  from  North  Kingstown,, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  E,  June  12th,  1861. 
He  was  a  peddler  by  occupation.  He  died  at  Hagers- 
town,  Maryland,  November  4th,  1862,  at  the  age  of 
twenty  years. 

Private  HENRY  L.  JACQUES  enlisted  from  South  Kings 
town  in  Company  E,  and  was  mustered,  June  6th,  1861. 
He  was  a  fisherman  by  occupation,  and  was  forty-three 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He  was- 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,, 
and  soon  afterwards  died,  as  is  supposed,  at  Richmond. 

Private  GEORGE  H.  MAXFIELD  enlisted  from  Bristol, 
was  mustered  and  assigned  to  Company  E,  November 
15th,  1861.  He  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863,  and 
was  killed,  May  5th,  1864,  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilder 
ness.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  eighteen 
years  old  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment. 

Private  WILLIAM  H.  NICHOLS  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  E,  from  South  Kingstown.  He- 


IX   MEMORIAM.  401 

was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 
He  was  a  weaver  by  occupation,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  was  twenty  years  of  age. 

Private  WILLIAM  H.  RECORDS  was  mustered  into  Com 
pany  E,  September  23rd,  1862.  Life  in  the  army  soon 
impaired  his  health,  and  he  died,  March  28th,  1863. 
He  was  a  seaman  by  occupation,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age. 

Private  ISAAC  C.  RODMAN  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  E,  from  South  Kingstown,  was  a 
hatter  by  occupation,  and  was  eighteen  years  of  age  at 
the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He  was  wounded  and  token 
prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861,  and 
died  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Private  JOHN  H.  SLOCUM,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  M. 
Slocum,  was  born  in  Richmond,  Rhode  Island,  March 
17th,  1846.  He  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into  Com 
pany  E,  June  6th,  1861,  and  reenlisted,  December  26th, 
1863.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May 
12th,  1864,  but  a  little  more  than  eighteen  years  of  age. 
He  was  a  good  soldier  in  every  respect. 

Private  WALLACE  F.  WARREN  enlisted  from  Bristol, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  E,  March  7th,  1864. 
His  military  life  was  of  short  duration.  He  was  killed 
in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864.  He  was 
a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty  years  old  at  the 
time  of  his  death. 

Sergeant  JOHN  C.  HALL  was  one  of  the  original  mem 
bers  of  Company  F,  and  enlisted  from  Smithfield.  He 
was  by  occupation  a  machinist,  and  at  the  time  of  enlist 
ment  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  was  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861.  Recovering 
from  his  injury,  he  was  promoted  to  corporal,  October 
34* 


402  IN   MEMORIAM. 

1  Hh,  1861,  and,  assigned  to  the  color-guard,  went  bravely 
through  the  Peninsular  campaign.  He  was  promoted 
to  sergeant,  February  22nd,  1803.  Soon  afterwards  he 
was  taken  sick,  and  died  on  the  16th  of  March. 

Corporal  FRANCIS  T.  ROMAIN  enlisted  from  Pawtucket,. 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  F,  June  6th,  1861,  and 
appointed  corporal.  He  was  by  occupation  a  machinist,, 
and  was  twenty-five  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  enlist 
ment.  He  was  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  July  21st,  1861,  and  died  before  the  day  was  past. 
He  was  a  promising  soldier,  and  fell  with  his  captain 
bravely  fighting. 

Private  WILLIAM  A.  ARNOLD  was  drafted  from  James 
town,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  F,  July  20th, 
1863.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  He  was  transferred  to  Company  B  of 
the  Battalion.  The  army  life  weakened  his  health,  he 
fell  sick,  and  died,  July  7th,  1864,  at  DeCamp  Hospital, 
David's  Island,  New  York. 

Private  THOMAS  COOPER  enlisted  from  Pawtucket,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  F,  June  6th,  1861.  He  was 
an  engraver  by  occupation,  and  was  thirty-seven  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He  contracted  sick 
ness  on  the  Peninsula,  and  died  in  hospital,  October 
17th,  1862, 

Private  JOHN  FARRELL  was  drafted  in  the  conscription 
of  1863,  and  mustered  into  Company  F,  August  19th  of 
that  year.  He  was  wounded  severely  in  the  leg  at  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864,  and  suffered 
amputation,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  died  at  Wash 
ington  on  the  6th  of  June. 

Private  AUGUSTUS  B.  FRANKLIN,  the  son  of  William 
A.  and  Martha  S.  (Barney)  Franklin,  was  born  at  North 
Swansey,  Massachusetts,  February  3rd,  1840.  He  enlisted 


IX    MEMORIAL.  403 

in  Company  F,  and  was  mustered,  June  6th,  1861. 
He  contracted  disease  in  the  service,  and  was  discharged, 
December  2nd,  1862.  He  died,  December  loth,  1864. 
Captain  Sears  writes  of  him,  that  he  was  "one  of  the 
best  men  in  the  company,  and  did  duty  for  months  with 
a  dysentery  for  which  the  surgeon  could  find  no  remedy. 
He  never  recovered  from  the  disease,  but  wasted  away. 
He  was  always  ready  to  do  more  than  he  was  able  to  do> 
with  safety." 

Private  THOMAS  McKAY,  2nd,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,, 
was  drafted  and  mustered  into  Company  F,  July  10th,. 

1863.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.     He  was  transferred  to  Company  B  of 
the   Battalion,  was  taken  prisoner  in  the  campaign  of 

1864,  and  died  in  July  of  that  year  at  Camp  Sumter, 
Andersonville. 

Sergeant  SIMEON  A.  NEWMAN  was  a  resident  of  Bristol,, 
and  one  of  the  original  members  of  Company  G.  He 
was  a  seaman  by  occupation,  and  was  thirty-two  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  entering  the  service.  He  was  appointed 
first  corporal,  and,  011  the  12th  of  August,  1861,  first 
sergeant.  He  fell  sick  during  the  following  winter,  and 
died  in  Columbian  College  Hospital,  Washington,  March 
18th,  1862.  His  body  was  brought  to  Rhode  Island 
and  interred  at  Bristol. 

Sergeant  HENRY  J.  COLE  was  also  a  resident  of  Bristol,, 
and  one  of  the  original  members  of  Company  G.  He  was. 
a  machinist  by  occupation,  and  was  nineteen  years  of  age 
at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  was  appointed  eighth 
corporal,  and  on  the  18th  of  March,  1862,  was  promoted 
to  sergeant.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,. 
June  25th,  1862. 

Corporal  CHARLES  A.  HAILE  was  a  native  of  Ashta- 


404  IN   MEMORIAL. 

bula,  Ohio,  but  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment  resided  in 
Warren,  where  he  pursued  the  occupation  of  a  jeweller. 
He  was  the  son  of  Slade  and  Mary  Haile.  He  was  one  of 
the  original  members  of  Company  G,  and  was  twenty 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He  was 
appointed  corporal,  September  30th,  1863.  He  went 
safely  through  the  early  campaigns  of  the  Regiment,  but 
was  shot  through  the  left  lung  in  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864.  He  was  carried  to  the  hos 
pital  of  the  2nd  division,  Sixth  Corps,  near  Fredericks- 
burg,  where  he  died  on  the  day  of  the  battle. 

Corporal  ROBERT  TOYE  enlisted  from  Bristol,  and  was 
mustered  into  Company  G,  June  5th,  1861.  He  was  a 
mechanic  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-two  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He  was  promoted  to 
corporal,  April  21st,  1863.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863. 

Private  GARDNER  J.  BRAYTON  was  a  resident  of  Ports 
mouth,  Rhode  Island,  at  the  time  of  the  organization  of 
the  Regiment,  and  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age  at  the 
time  of  his  enlistment.  He  enlisted  and  was  mustered 
into  Company  G,  June  6th,  1861.  After  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run  he  was  seized  with  typhoid  fever,  which  proved 
to  be  of  a  malignant  type.  Care  and  medical  treatment 
were  unavailing,  and  he  died  in  hospital  at  Camp  Sprague, 
August  19th,  1861.  Chaplain  Jameson  speaks  of  his 
"excellent  religious  character"  and  of  the  high  esteem 
in  which  he  was  held  by  his  comrades. 

Private  WILLIAM  B.  BURNS  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  G,  and  enlisted  from  Bristol.  He 
was  a  seaman  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-four  years 
of  age.  He  was  transferred  to  the  Western  gun-boat 
flotilla,  February  18th,  1862,  and  is  reported  to  have  died 
at  Philadelphia. 


IX    MEMORIAM.  405 

Private  ISAAC  N.  COBB  was  born  in  Lyme,  Connecti 
cut,  March  3rd,  1829.  He  commenced  a  seafaring  life- 
at  an  early  age,  and  while  quite  young  became  a  master 
mariner,  commanding  vessels  in  the  coasting  trade.  He- 
was  thus  engaged  at  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion,  when 
he  enlisted  in  Captain  Goff's  company,  and  was  mustered 
in  on  the  6th  of  June,  1861.  He  was  wounded  in  the 
groin  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  was  captured,  taken  to 
Richmond  and  imprisoned  in  the  "Libby."  His  wound 
was  very  painful,  and  he  lingered  in  great  suffering  until 
August  12th,  1861,  when  death  released  him.  He  was 
married,  first  to  Miss  Frances  E.  Wood  of  Essex,  Con 
necticut,  who  died,  leaving  one  daughter;  a  second  time,, 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Sayer  of  Bristol,  who,  with  two* 
daughters,  survived  his  death.  He  was  a  brave  and 
ardently  patriotic  soldier. 

Private  LUDWIG  EHLERT  was  a  native  of  Germany. 
He  was  drafted  in  the  conscription  of  1863,  and  was 
assigned  to  Company  G,  into  which  he  was  mustered, 
July  10th.  He  was  a  clerk  by  occupation,  and  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864. 

Private  ALBERT  HINDS  enlisted  from  North  Kings 
town,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  G,  March  5th, 
1862.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  forty-two- 
years  of  age.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Spott- 
sylvania,  May  12th,  1864,  after  passing  unhurt  through 
the  earlier  campaigns. 

Private  JAMES  E.  LEWIS  was  one  of  the  original  mem 
bers  of  Company  G,  and  enlisted  from  Bristol.  He  was 
a  mason  by  occupation,  and  was  thirty-four  years  of  age. 
He  went  faithfully  through  the  campaigns  of  the  Regi 
ment  in  1861,  1862  and  1863,  but  was  killed  on  the  second 
day  of  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864. 


406  IN    MEMORIAL. 

Private  JERRY  LUTHER,  Jr.,  enlisted  from  Bristol,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  G,  June  5th,  1861.  He  was 
a  cooper  by  trade,  and  was  nineteen  years  of  age  at  the 
time  of  his  enlistment.  He  was  a  youth  of  rare  intelli 
gence  and  fine  character,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the 
Peninsular  campaign  was  detailed  to  the  corps  of  engin 
eers,  as  an  assistant  to  Lieutenant  0.  G.  Wagner.  While 
standing  near  a  table  on  which  Lieutenant  Wagner  was 
making  drawings,  in  front  of  the  enemy's  works  at  York- 
town,  April  18th,  1862,  a  shell  from  one  of  the  enemy's 
guns  struck  near  the  table,  and,  on  exploding,  a  fragment 
wounded  young  Luther  so  severely  as  to  cause  his  death  in 
the  course  of  a  few  hours.  He  was  taken  to  the  hospital 
of  the  26th  Pennsylvania  regiment,  and  every  possible  care 
was  given  him,  but  without  avail.  His  body  was  interred 
near  the  lines.  He  was  a  young  man  of  excellent  promise. 

Private  HENRY  MARLAND  was  a  native  of  England. 
He  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into  Company  G,  June 
6th,  1861.  He  was  an  operative  by  occupation,  and  was 
thirty-one  years  of  age.  He  belonged  to  the  pioneer 
corps  in  the  autumn  of  1863.  He  passed  unhurt  through 
the  early  campaigns,  but  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864. 

Private  JOHN  RICE  was  miTstered  into  Company  G, 
December  26th,  1862.  He  was  thirty-three  years  of  age, 
and  was  an  operative  by  occupation.  He  was  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864. 

Private  EDWARD  A.  SIMMONS  enlisted  and  was  mus 
tered  into  Company  G,  August  10th,  1862.  He  was  by 
occupation  an  operative,  and  was  twenty-four  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  was  wounded  and 
reported  missing  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May 
3rd,  1863.  As  he  did  not  appear  afterwards,  it  is  sup 
posed,  that  he  died  while  a  prisoner. 


IX    MEMORIAM.  407 

Sergeant  CHARLES  E.  BAG  LEY  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  H.  He  enlisted  from  South  Kings 
town,  was  a  teacher  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  He  was  at  once  appointed  corporal,  and 
afterwards,  as  it  appears,  sergeant,  although  no  date  is 
given.  The  promotion  was  doubtless  made  on  the  3rd 
of  July,  1861,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  discharge 
of  Sergeant  James  E.  Weaver.  He  was  a  brave  and 
faithful  soldier,  an  honorable  and  intelligent  man.  He 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

Sergeant  JAMES  A.  KING  (Veterans)  was  also  one  of 
the  original  members  of  Company  H,  and  was  mustered, 
June  6th,  1861.  He  enlisted  from  Warwick.  He  was 
by  occupation  a  laborer,  and  was  twenty-three  years  of 
age.  He  was  appointed  corporal,  April  1st,  1863.  He 
was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd, 
1863,  and  on  recovery  was  assigned  to  the  color-guard, 
Kovember  17th,  1863.  He  reenlisted,  December  26th, 
1863,  and,  upon  the  organization  of  Captain  Rhodes's 
Battalion,  he  was  transferred  as  corporal  to  Company  C. 
He  was  promoted  to  sergeant,  December  16th,  1864. 
Sickness  came  upon  him  during  the  winter  or  early 
spring,  and  he  died  in  hospital  at  Philadelphia,  May 
15th,  1865.  His  promotions  and  reenlistment  are  the 
testimony  of  his  faithfulness. 

Corporal  FRANCIS  C.  GREENE  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  H,  enlisted  from  Warwick,  and 
was  mustered  as  corporal.  He  was  reported  as  missing 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  He  was  taken  prisoner  and 
carried  to  Richmond,  but  beyond  that  he  was  not  heard 
from.  He  was  accordingly  dropped  from  the  rolls  of 
the  Regiment  as  having  died  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Corporal  BENJAMIN  W.  SHERMAN  was  one  of  the 
original  members  of  Company  H,  and  enlisted  from 


408  IN   MEMORIAM. 

Coventry.  He  was  a  mechanic  by  occupation,  and  was 
twenty-three  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He 
was  appointed  corporal,  August  1st,  1861.  He  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863. 
Recovering  from  his  injuries,  he  returned  to  the  Regi 
ment,  and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
May  6th,  1864. 

Private  ASA  ANDREWS  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into 
Company  H,  August  25th,  1862.  He  contracted  disease 
during  the  following  winter,  and  died  in  hospital  at 
Portsmouth  Grove,  Rhode  Island,  March  31st,  1863. 

Private  EZRA  A.  ANDREWS  enlisted  from  Providence, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  H,  September  2nd, 
1862.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  thirty- 
eight  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December 
13th,  1862,  and  died  at  the  hospital  at  Portsmouth 
Grove,  March  31st,  1863. 

Private  PELEG  W.  CARD  enlisted  from  Coventry,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  H,  June  19th,  1861.  He 
was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty  years  of  age 
at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

Private  DANIEL  GREENE  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  H,  and  enlisted  from  Warwick. 
He  was  by  occupation  a  laborer,  and  was  twenty-four 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  passed 
unhurt  through  the  campaigns  of  the  Regiment  until 
that  of  1864,  in  the  course  of  which  he  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  Captivity  with  its  attendant  ex 
posure  and  privations  broke  his  strength,  and  he  died  at 
Camp  Sumter  at  some  time  in  the  month  of  August,  1864. 

Private  THOMAS  HENNESSY  enlisted  from  East  Green 
wich,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  H,  June  6th, 


IX    MEMORIAM.  409 

1801.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty- 
:seven  years  old  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  fell  ill  of 
disease  of  the  lungs  in  the  winter  of  1861-62,  and  died 
;at  Camp  Brightwood,  February  4th,  1862.  '  He  was 
bulried  with  military  honors.  Chaplain  Jameson  speaks 
of  him  as  having  been  ( '  esteemed  a  good  soldier  by  his 
officers  and  comrades." 

Private  PATRICK  HEAVEY  enlisted  from  Providence, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  H,  December  6th,  1861. 
He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  thirty-eight 
years  of  age.  He  died,  October  23rd,  1863. 

Private  THOMAS  LEWIS,  the  son  of  Foster  and  Phebe 
Lewis,  was  born,  March  8th,  1841.  He  enlisted  in 
Oompany  G  of  the  Ninth  Rhode  Island,  May  26th,  1862, 
•and  after  being  mustered  out,  September  2nd,  1862,  at 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  returned  to  peaceful 
pursuits.  He  was  drafted  in  the  conscription  of  1863, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  H,  July  9th.  Upon 
the  reorganization  he  was  transferred  to  Company  B. 
He  was  severely  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Opequan,  Sep 
tember  19th,  1864,  and  died  of  his  wounds  in  the  course 
of  the  following  night.  A  letter  published  in  the  Provi 
dence  Journal  of  the  8th  of  October  speaks  of  him  as 
follows:  "  Private  Lewis  was  a  quiet,  unassuming  young 
man,  and,  during  his  fourteen  months  with  us,  he,  by 
his  gentlemanly  deportment  in  camp  and  his  true  soldierly 
bearing  upon  the  battlefield,  won  for  himself  the  esteem 
and  respect  of  both  officers  and  men  of  his  Regiment." 
His  loss  was  deeply  and  sincerely  deplored. 

Private  SAMUEL  P.  SWEET,  Jr.,  enlisted  from  Coventry, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  H,  June  19th,  1861. 
He  was  a  mechanic  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty  years 
of  age  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  died  at  Camp 
Sprague  hospital,  September  16th,  1861. 
35 


410  IN    MEMORIAM. 

Private  JOHN  A.  WILSON  enlisted  from  Cranston,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  H,  September  8th,  !*•;•>. 
He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  at  the  time  of  enlist 
ment  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  was  killed  on  the 
skirmish  line  in  front  of  Cold  Harbor,  June  2nd,  18(14.- 

Sergeant  HENRY  A.  GREEN  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  I.  He  enlisted  from  Woonsocket, 
was  t>y  occupation  a  clerk,  and  was  twenty-six  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  was  appointed  first 
corporal,  and  was  promoted  to  sergeant,  August  1st, 
1861,  and  to  first  sergeant,  August  3rd,  1862.  He  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863. 
He  was  a  good  soldier  and  a  brave  and  faithful  man. 

Sergeant  SAMUEL  WIGHT  enlisted  from  North  Scituate, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  June  6th,  1861.  He 
was  by  occupation  a  farmer,  and  was  twenty-one  years 
old  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  was  appointed  cor 
poral,  August  1st,  1861,  and  promoted  to  sergeant,  July 
25th,  1862.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem 
Heights,  and  died  of  his  injuries,  May  15th,  1863. 

Sergeant  BRADFORD  CHAMBERLAIN  enlisted  from 
Smithfield,  and  was  one  of  the  original  members  of 
Company  I.  He  was  at  once  appointed  corporal,  and 
was  promoted  to  sergeant,  April  21st,  1863.  He  was  at 
the  time  of  enlistment  twentyrseven  years  of  age,  and  was 
a  mason  by  occupation.  He  reenlisted,  December  26th, 
1863,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May 
12th,  1864.  He  was  buried  at  Fredericksburg. 

Corporal  THOMAS  J.  KELLEY  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  I,  and  enlisted  from  Woonsocket. 
He  was  a  tinman  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-six 
years  old  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He  was  at  once 
appointed  corporal.  But  his  military  life  was  of  short 


IX    MKMOUJAM.  411 

duration.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 
21st,  1801. 

Corporal  JOHN  FORD  was  the  comrade  of  Corporal 
Kelley,  enlisting  at  the  same  time  and  from  the  same 
place.  He  was  an  operative  by  occupation,  and  was 
thirty-seven  years  of  age.  His  appointment  as  corporal 
was  immediately  made,  and  he  had  in  him  the  promise 
of  a  good  soldier.  He  fell  by  the  side  of  Corporal 
Kelley,  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  • 

Corporal  THOMAS  H.  BARKER  enlisted  from  Provi 
dence,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  December  23rd, 

1861.  He  was  by  occupation  a  jeweller,  and  was  twenty- 
three  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  enlistment.     He  was 
appointed  corporal,  May  25th,  1862.     He  fell  a  victim  to 
typhoid  fever  upon  the  Peninsula,  and  died,  July  24th, 
18G2. 

Corporal  ALBERT  F.  DAVIS  was  a  resident  of  Glocester. 
He  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  August 
1st,  1861.  He  was  by  occupation  a  farmer,  and  was 
twenty-six  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He 
was  appointed  corporal,  July  25th,  1862,  at  the  close  of 
the  Peninsular  campaign.  The  exposures  and  privations 
of  the  campaign  induced  disease,  and  he  died  of  fever  in 
hospital  at  Chester,  Pennsylvania,  August  30th,  1862. 

Corporal  JOSEPH  A.  PHILLIPS  was  a  resident  of  Georgia- 
ville  (Smithfield).  He  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into 
Company  I,  August  1st,  1861.  He  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  and  was  thirty-four  years  old  at  the  time  of 
enlistment.  He  was  appointed  corporal,  November  1st, 

1862.  He  went  safely  through  the  campaigns  of  1862 
and  1863,  but  was  killed  in  front  of  Spottsylvania  Court 
House,  May  18th,  1864. 

Corporal  PATRICK  CARROLL  (Veterans)  enlisted  from 
Greenville  (Smithfield),  and  was  mustered  into  Company 


412  IN    MEM01UAM. 

I,  August  21st,  1802.  He  was  an  operative  by  occupa 
tion,  and  was  nineteen  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his. 
enlistment.  He  was  transferred  to  Company  C  of  the- 
Battalion  at  the  time  of  the  reorganization,  and  was. 
subsequently  appointed  corporal.  He  was  wounded  se 
verely  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865,. 
and  on  the  16th  died  from  the  effects  of  his  wound,  in 
hospital  at  Annapolis,  Maryland. 

Corporal  GEORGE  BARNEY  HUTCHINSON,  the  only 
child  of  Cyrus  B.  and  Mary  A.  (Dodge)  Hutchinson> 
was  born  at  Slatersville  (North  Smithfield),  March  12th,. 
1840.  He  enlisted  at  Woonsocket,  and  was  mustered 
into  Company  I  as  corporal,  June  6th,  1861.  The- 
exposure  and  fatigue  attending  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,. 
July  21st,  1861,  proved  to  be  too  severe  for  his  strength,, 
and  he  was  accordingly  discharged  on  account  of  physical 
disability,  on  the  13th  of  October  following.  He  returned 
to  Slatersville,  where  he  died  of  consumption,  August 
loth,  1862,  and  was  buried  with  military  honors  in  the- 
village  cemetery. 

Private  WILSON  ALDRICH  was  a  resident  of  Scituate,. 
was  drafted  and  mustered  into  Company  I,  July  9th, 
1863.  He  was  by  occupation  a  farmer,  and  was  twenty- 
eight  years  of  age.  He  was  badly  wounded  on  the  second 
day  of  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864. 
He  was  transferred  to  Company  C  of  the  Battalion,  but 
his  active  service  was  ended.  He  died  in  hospital  at 
Washington,  July  7th,  1864. 

Private  LEANDER  A.  ARNOLD  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  I.  He  was  a  resident  of  Woon 
socket,  was  a  painter  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-two- 
years  of  age.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Salem 
Heights,  May  3rd,  1863. 

Private  JOHN  DONNOVAN  enlisted  from  Providence, 


IX    MEMORIAM.  413 

and  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  December  16th, 
18i)l.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  nineteen 
years  of  age.  He  was  killed,  May  3rd,  1863,  at  the 
battle  of  Salem  Heights. 

Private  GEORGE  W.  GREENE  enlisted  from  Glocester, 
was  mustered  into  Company  F,  August  1st,  1861,  and 
afterwards  transferred  to  Company  I.  He  was  by  occupa 
tion  a  farmer,  and  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863.  He  was  killed  in  the 
battle  of  May  18th,  1864,  in  front  of  Spottsylvania  Court 
House. 

Private  JAMES  MARTIX  was  one  of  the  original  mem 
bers  of  Company  I,  and  enlisted  from  Albion  (Lincoln). 
He  was  an  operative  by  occupation,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  enlistment  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  went 
unhurt  through  the  early  campaigns  of  the  Regiment, 
but  was  dangerously  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Spott 
sylvania,  May  12th,  1864,  and  died  on  the  15th  in  hos 
pital. 

Private  DAVID  PRUE  was  a  native  of  Canada,  but 
resided  in  AVoonsocket  at  the  time  of  the  organization  of 
the  Regiment.  He  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  and 
was  an  operative  by  occupation.  He  was  mustered  into 
Company  I,  June  6th,  1861,  reenlisted,  December  26th, 
1863,  and  was  transferred  to  Company  C  of  the  Battalion. 
He  was  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865.  He  was  in  all 
the  engagements  of  the  Regiment  from  the  beginning  to 
the  end  of  its  service,  and  passed  through  all  untouched. 
"His  comrades,"  says  the  notice  of  his  death,  "bear 
testimony  to  his  faithfulness  to  cluty  and  to  his  patriotic 
courage,  and  his  record  was  without  blemish."  He  died 
of  consumption  at  VVoonsocket,  March  llth,  1874,  and 
was  buried  with  military  honors  by  the  Woonsocket 
Guards. 
3-3* 


414  IN    MEMORIAM. 

Private  ALBERT  H.  STONE  enlisted  from  Scituatc,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  I,  November  19th,  1861. 
He  was  by  occupation  a  laborer,  and  was  seventeen  years 
of  age  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  was  stricken  down 
by  typhoid  fever  on  the  Peninsula,  and  died  at  Ports 
mouth  Grove  Hospital,  July  loth,  1862.  His  body  was 
taken  home  for  burial. 

Private  C.  F.  VOSE  was  drafted  in  the  conscription  of 
1863,  and  was  assigned  to  Company  I.  He  died  at 
Brandy  Station,  December  12th,  1803.  There  is  no 
record  of  his  age. 

Private  GEORGE  "W.  WILCOX  was  a  resident  of  Mendon, 
Massachusetts,  and  was  one  of  the  original  members  of 
Company  I.  He  was  by  occupation  a  bootmaker,  and 
was  twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  was  killed  by  the 
accidental  explosion  of  a  shell,  March  12th,  1862,  while 
the  Regiment  was  over  in  Virginia,  soon  after  the  evacu 
ation  of. Manassas.  The  chaplain  spoke  of  him  as  "a 
most  exemplary  and  good  man,  respected  by  his  officers, 
and  beloved  by  his  comrades.  His  funeral  took  place 
on  the  13th  with  appropriate  ceremonies  and  military 
honors." 

Private  PITTS  S.  WINSOR  enlisted  from  Scituate,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  I,  January  29th,  1862.  He 
was  by  occupation  a  stone-cutter,  and  was  twenty-four 
years  of  age.  He  was  badly  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863,  and  died  on  the  20th  of 
the  same  month. 

Sergeant  EBENEZER  JOHNSON  BLAKE,  the  son  of  Jos 
eph  A.  and  Sarah  P.  Blake,  was  born  in  Providence, 
April  1st,  1837.  He  was  by  occupation  a  clerk.  He 
enlisted,  April  16th,  1861,  in  the  first  battery,  but,  as 
that  was  full,  he  was  ordered  to  Fort  Adams,  then 


IX    MEMORIAM.  415 

garrisoned  by  a  company  under  command  of  Captain  (X 
W.  Turner.  This  company  formed  the  nucleus  of  Com 
pany  K,  which  was  mustered,  June  5th,  1861.  Corporal 
at  first,  he  was  promoted  to  sergeant,  July  22nd,  1861,. 
and  to  first  sergeant,  October  5th,  1862.  He  was  in 
Rhode  Island  on  recruiting  service  from  August  10th  to 
October  30th,  1862.  He  was  taken  prisoner  in  company 
with  Corporal  Richard  Greene  of  Company  B,  May  15th> 
1864,  by  the  rebel  cavalry,  and  taken  South.  He  was  at 
Camp  Sumter  from  June  3rd  to  September  13th,  when 
he  was  taken  to  Florence,  South  Carolina,  remained  there 
until  December  7th,  when  he  was  taken  to  Charleston,, 
and  was  finally  released  on  the  llth.  While  in  captivity 
he  kept  a  diary,  which  gives  an  interesting  account  of  the 
exposures,  hardships,  privations  and  sufferings  of  the 
prisoners  in  the  South.  His  health  seems  to  have  entirely 
broken  down  under  the  treatment  to  which  he  was 
subjected  at  Anderson ville  and  Florence,  and  he  died  at 
Annapolis,  Maryland,  on  the  16th  of  February,  1865,  of 
pneumonia.  He  was  a  man  of  genial  and  happy  temper 
ament,  possessing  the  faculty  of  making  friends.  While 
in  captivity  he  received  tokens  of  kindness,  both  from 
his  captors  and  fellow  prisoners. 

Sergeant  HEXRY  T.  BLAXCHARD  enlisted  from  Provi 
dence,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  K  as  corporal, 
June  5th,  1861.  He  was  by  occupation  a  machinist,  and 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  was  promoted  to  ser 
geant,  October  5th,  1862.  He  went  bravely  and  credit 
ably  through  the  earlier  campaigns  of  the  Regiment,  and 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864. 

Sergeant  JAMES  TAYLOK  was  one  of  the  original  mem 
bers  of  Company  K,  and  enlisted  from  Newport.  He 
was  by  occupation  an  enameller,  and  was  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  He  was  appointed  corporal,  November 


41 0  IN    MEMORIAL. 

3oth,  1S01,  and  was  promoted  to  sergeant,  July  1st, 
18G3.  He  was  a  good  soldier,  as  shown  by  his  promo 
tions.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May 
12th,  1864. 

Corporal  JOHN  W.  HUNT  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  K,  and  enlisted  from  East  Green 
wich.  He  was  at  once  appointed  corporal.  He  was  by 
occupation  a  farmer,  and  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  He 
went  safely  through  the  campaigns  of  1801  and  lsi;-.}. 
and  died  of  disease,  April  llth,  1863. 

Corporal  THOMAS  11.  B.  FALES  enlisted  at  Washing 
ton,  soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  Regiment  at  that  place, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  K,  July  15th,  1861. 
He  was  by  occupation  a  printer,  and  was  nineteen  years 
of  age.  He  was  appointed  corporal,  October  5th,  1862. 
He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd, 
1863. 

Corporal  SAMUEL  T.  PERRY  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  K,  and  enlisted  from  Perryvillo 
(South  Kingstown).  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
and  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  was  appointed  cor 
poral,  October  5th,  1862,  and  reenlisted,  December  26th, 
1863.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May 
12th,  1864. 

Private  SAMUEL  W.  GRAVES  enlisted  from  Apponaug 
(Warwick),  and  was  mustered  into  Company  K,  June 
5th,  1861.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was 
nineteen  years  of  age.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861,  was  taken  prisoner  and 
carried  to  Salisbury,  North  Carolina.  Released,  May 
22nd,  1862,  he  returned  to  duty  with  the  Regiment,  and 
went  safely  through  the  campaign  of  1863.  He  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864. 

Private  PATRICK  ISLAND  enlisted  from  Smithfield,  and 


IX    MEMORIAL.  41T 

was  mustered  into  Company  K,  October  29th,  1861. 
He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-two- 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  spent  the- 
winter  at  Camp  Brightwood,  was  taken  down  with  typhoid 
fever  at  the  beginning  of  the  Peninsular  campaign,  and 
died  in  Washington,  May  29th,  1862. 

Private  WILLIAM  McCAXx  enlisted  from  Newport,, 
and  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  Company  K. 
He  was  an  operative  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty 
years  of  age.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull- 
Run,  July  21st,  1861,  was  taken  prisoner  and  carried  to- 
Richmond,  where  he  died  011  the  31st  of  July. 

Private  EDWARD  T.  MORSE  was  also  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  K,  and  enlisted  from  Providence. 
He  was  nineteen  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  enlistment. 
He  was  killed  on  the  21st  of  July,  1861,  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run. 

Private  DAXIEL  Mo  WRY  enlisted  from  Providence,, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  K,  October  16th,  1861. 
He  was  a  sailor  by  occupation,  and  was  nineteen  years  of 
age.  He  died  in  Washington,  December  18th,  1863. 

Private  PATRICK  J.  MULLEX  was  mustered  into  Com- 
pany  K,  June  18th,  1861.  He  enlisted  from  Providence,, 
was  a  bricklayer  by  occupation,  and  was  nineteen  years 
of  age.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 
21st,  1861. 

Private  DAVID  A.  NEWMAN  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Company  K,  and  enlisted  from  Newport. 
He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-two- 
years  of  age.  He  was  seized  with  typhoid  fever  in  the- 
spring  of  1862,  and  died  on  the  14th  of  May  at  Wash 
ington. 

Private  JOHN  C.  NICHOLSOX  enlisted  from  Newport,, 
and  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  Company  K. 


41  8  IX    MKMOKIAM. 

lie  was  a  plumber  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  He  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
July  21st,  1801. 

Private  ISAAC  C.  RAXDALL  enlisted  from  Olneyville 
(Johnston),  and  was  mustered  into  Company  K,  Decem 
ber  16th,  18G1.  He  was  a  teamster  by  occupation,  and 
was  thirty-three  years  of  age.  He  reenlisted,  December 
26th,  1863,  and  was  transferred  to  Company  A  of  the 
Battalion,  and  went  safely  through  the  campaigns  of 
1864.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Johnston,  while  on  fur 
lough,  March  18th,  1865. 

Private  WILLIAM  H.  RAXDALL  enlisted  from  Olney 
ville  (Johnston),  and  was  mustered  into  Company  K, 
November  27th,  1861.  He  Avas  a  miller  by  occupation, 
and  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  was  killed,  June 
25th,  1862,  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines. 

Private  JOHX  RILEY  was  one  of  the  original  members 
of  Company  K.  He  enlisted  from  Valley  Falls,  was  a 
laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  thirty  years  of  age.  He 
was  badly  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861,  was  captured  and  carried  to  Richmond,  and  was 
not  heard  from  afterwards.  He  is  supposed  to  have 
died  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Private  WALTER  M.  SHELDOX  was  also  one  of  the 
original  members  of  Company  K.  He  enlisted  from 
Providence,  and  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run. 

Private  ROBERT  SHAXE  enlisted  from  Newport,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  K,  June  5th,  1861.  He 
was  a  moulder  by  occupation,  and  was  twenty-two  years 
of  age.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June 
25th,  1862. 

Private  Axsox  J.  SMITH  enlisted  from  Newport,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  K,  August  1st,  1861.  He 


IX    MKMUKIAM.  4i!» 

was  a  painter  by  occupation,  and  was  eighteen  years  of 
age.  lie  reenlisted,  December  20th,  1863.  He  was 
killed  in  front  of  Cold  Harbor,  June  3rd,  1864. 

Private  GIUSEPPE  VATELACAICI  was  a  native  of  Italy. 
He  was  drafted  and  mustered  into  Company  K,  July 
8th,  1863.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was 
thirty  years  of  age.  Transferred  to  Company  A  of  the 
Battalion,  he  went  through  the  Shenandoah  campaign, 
but  the  hardships  of  the  service  were  too  severe  for  him, 
and  he  sickened  and  died  at  Parke  Station.  December 
27th,  1864. 

Private  HUGH  MALCOLM  was  a  resident  of  Cranston, 
and  was  mustered,  September  2nd,  1862.  He  died  on. 
the  30th  of  the  same  month,  while  on  the^\vay  to  Wash 
ington.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  forty 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death. 


THE    VETERANS. 

Sergeant  JAMES  SEAMAXS  was  a  native  of  Scituate, 
where  he  lived  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  He 
then  went  to  Providence  and  followed  the  occupation  of 
a  painter.  Interested  in  military  affairs,  he  became  a 
member  of  the  Mechanic  Rifles.  At  the  breaking  out  of 
the  rebellion,  being  then  thirty-nine  years  of  age,  he 
enlisted  in  the  First  Rhode  Island,  and  was  mustered  as 
corporal  of  Company  G,  at  Washington,  May  2nd,  1861. 
He  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 
21st,  1861,  was  carried  to  Richmond,  thence  to  New 
Orleans,  and  thence  to  Salisbury,  North  Carolina.  Ex- 


420  IN    MEMORIAL. 

changed  in  May,  1862,  he  returned  to  Providence  and 
engaged  once  more  in  his  former  occupation.  He  en 
listed  again,  and  was  mustered  as  sergeant  of  Company 
E  of  the  Veterans,  September  15th,  1864.  Joining  the 
Regiment  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  he  went  through 
the  winter  campaign  in  front  of  Petersburg,  and  was 
killed  in  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865. 
He  was  buried  near  the  place  where  he  fell. 

Corporal  EDWARD  D.  VALLETT  enlisted  from  Johnston, 
and  was  mustered  as  corporal  of  Company  D,  October 
31st,  1864.  He  was  an  operative  by  occupation,  and 
was  eighteen  years  of  age.  The  winter  campaign  proved 
too  severe  for  his  strength.  He  died,  January  12th, 
1865,  and  was  "buried  in  Poplar  Grove  cemetery. 

Private  WILLIAM  JORDAN  enlisted  from  Providence, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  D,  October  31st,  1864. 
He  was  by  occupation  a  laborer,  and  was  eighteen  years 
of  age.  The  exposures  of  military  life  impaired  his 
health,  and  he  died  in  hospital  at  Baltimore,  February 
10th,  1865.  He  was  buried  in  Baltimore. 

Private  JOHN  MCELROY  enlisted  from  Providence,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  D,  October  31st,  1864.  He 
went  safely  through  the  winter  campaign,  but  was  killed 
in  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865.  He  was 
a  laborer  by  occupation j  and  was. eighteen  years  of  age  at 
the  time  of  his  death. 

Corporal  WILLIS  P.  GREY  enlisted  from  Providence, 
and  was  mustered  as  corporal  of  Company  E,  September 
15th,  1864.  He  was  by  occupation  a  painter,  and  was 
eighteen  years  of  age.  The  hardships  of  the  service 
broke  his  health,  and  he  died  in  hospital  at  City  Point, 
April  27th,  1865. 

Corporal  JAMES  MANSELL  enlisted  from  Providence, 


IN   MEMORIAM.  421 

and  was  mustered  into  Company  E,  September  15th, 
1864.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  eighteen 
years  of  age.  The  record  does  not  give  the  time  of 
his  appointment  as  corporal.  He  was  severely  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865,  and  died 
•of  his  injuries  two  days  after  the  battle. 

Corporal  ALEXANDER  MILLS  was  a  native  of  Canada, 
and  served  nine  months,  from  October,  1862,  to  July, 
1863,  in  the  Twelfth  Rhode  Island.  He  was  mustered 
into  Company  E,  September  15th,  1864.  He  was  an 
operative  by  occupation,  and  was  eighteen  years  of  age. 
The  time  of  his  appointment  as  corporal  does  not  appear 
upon  the  record.  He  was  killed  while  gallantly  advancing 
to  the  assault  of  Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865. 

Corporal  WILLIAM  RAILTON  was  from  Boston,  Massa 
chusetts,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  E,  September 
loth,  1864.  He  was  a  printer  by  occupation,  and  was 
nineteen  years  of  age.  The  date  of  his  appointment  as 
corporal  is  not  on  record.  He  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865,  and  at  the 
time  the  Regiment  was  mustered  out  he  was  absent,  sick 
in  hospital.  He  subsequently  died.  An  account  of  his 
exploit  in  the  assault  on  Petersburg  has  already  been 
given.  He  was  a  jovial  comrade  and  a  brave  soldier. 

Private  JAMES  W.  DEWHURST  enlisted  from  Provi 
dence,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  E,  September 
15th,  1864.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was 
eighteen  years  of  age.  He  went  unhurt  through  the 
winter  campaign,  but  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's 
•Creek,  April  6th,  1865. 

Corporal   STEPHEN  SHAW  enlisted  from  Providence, 
and  was  mustered  as  corporal  into  Company  F,  December 
10th,  1864.     He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was 
36 


422  IN   MEMORIAM. 

nineteen  years  of  age.  Life  in  the  trenches  was  too 
severe  for  his  physical  strength.  He  was  seized  with 
typhoid  fever,  and  died  in  Baltimore,  May  22nd,  1865. 

Corporal  JAMES  T.  GLANCEY  enlisted  from  Provi 
dence,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  F,  December 
10th,  1864.  He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was 
eighteen  years  of  age.  The  date  of  his  appointment  as 
corporal  is  not  given.  He  was  badly  and  mortally 
wounded  while  pressing  on  in  the  attack  of  Petersburg, 
April  2nd,  1865,  and  died  of  his  injuries  on  the  following 
day. 

Private  DANIEL  GIBSON  was  a  resident  of  Portland, 
Maine,  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  eighteen 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He  was 
mustered  into  Company  F,  December  10th,  1864.  He 
passed  through  the  campaign,  but  was  seized  with  typhoid 
fever,  and  died  on  the  30th  of  June,  1865. 

Private  CHARLES  F.  MOWRY  enlisted  in  Cranston,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  F,  December  10th,  1864. 
He  was  an  engineer  by  occupation,  and  was  eighteen 
years  of  age.  A  comrade  of  private  Gibson,  he  had  a 
similar  experience,  and  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Alexan 
dria,  Virginia,  June  13th,  1865. 

Private  JOHN  McCABE  enlisted  from  Providence,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  F,  December  10th,  1864. 
He  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  nineteen  years 
of  age.  He  went  unhurt  through  the  service  in  front  of 
Petersburg,  but  was  mortally  wounded  in  the  battle  of 
Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865,  and  died  on  the  same 
day. 

Private  SAMUEL  RUSSELL  enlisted  from  Providence, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  F,  December  10th, 
1864.  He  was  by  occupation  a  laborer,  and  was  nineteen 
years  of  age.  He  went  safely  through  the  closing  cam- 


IX   MEMORIAM.  423 

paign,  but  was  stricken  down  by  disease,  and  died  in 
hospital  at  Fairfax  Seminary,  Virginia,  June  18th,  1865. 

Private  HENRY  A.  STRANGE  enlisted  from  Pawtucket, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  F,  December  10th,  1864. 
He  was  by  occupation  a  blind  and  sash  maker,  and  was 
eighteen  years  of  age.  He  was  hardly  strong  enough  for 
military  service,  and  died  in  hospital  in  front  of  Peters 
burg,  February  25th,  1865. 

Private  CHARLES  R.  TUPPER  enlisted  from  Providence, 
and  was  mustered  into  Company  F,  December  10th, 

1864.  He  was  by  occupation  a  laborer,  and  was  eighteen 
years  of  age.     He  passed  safely  and  creditably  through 
the  winter  campaign,  but  was  -severely  wounded  at  the 
buttle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865,  and  died  of  his 
wounds  on  the  8th. 

Private  JOHN  BAILEY  was  a  native  of  Glasgow,  Scot 
land,  was  mustered  into  Company  G,  January  l?th, 

1865,  and  died  on  the  20th  of  February  at  the  rendezvous 
in  Xew  Haven,  Connecticut.     He  was  by  occupation  an 
operative,  and  was  eighteen  years  of  age  at  the  time  of 
his  death.     He  never  joined  the  Regiment. 

Private  HENRY  SLOCUM  enlisted  from  Warwick,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  G,  January  21st,  1865.  He 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  nineteen  years  of 
age.  He  died  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  February 
4th,  1865.  He  never  joined  the  Regiment. 

Private  JAMES  SMITH  enlisted  from  Providence,  and 
was  mustered  into  Company  G,  January  2nd,  1865.  He 
was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  was  eighteen  years  of 
age.  His  military  career  was  of  short  duration.  He  was 
killed  in  the  attack  on  Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865,  and 
was  buried  in  Poplar  Grove  national  cemetery. 

Private  TIMOTHY  SULLIVAN  was  a  native  of  Ireland. 


424  IN   MEMOKIAM. 

He  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into  Company  G,  January 
26th,  1865.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  occupation,  and  was. 
thirty-six  years  of  age.  He  joined  the  Regiment  with 
his  company,  but  was  seized  with  sickness,  and  died,. 
April  23rd,  1865. 

Private  BENJAMIN  TAKBOX  enlisted  from  East  Green 
wich,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  G,  February  6th> 
1865.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  eighteen 
years  of  age.  He  died  in  hospital,  March  3rd,  1865. 

Private  CHARLES  W.  TUCKER  was  a  resident  of  Oxford, 
Connecticut,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  G,  January 
7th,  1865.  He  was  a  shopkeeper  by  occupation,  and  was. 
forty- three  years  of  age.  He  died,  February  1st,  1865, 
never  having  joined  the  Regiment. 

Private  JAMES  D.  BUTLER  was  mustered  into  Company 
H,  February  10th,  1865.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupa 
tion,  and  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  died  in  hospital,. 
June  3rd,  1865. 

Private  JOHN  EARLE  was  a  resident  of  Somerset,. 
Massachusetts,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  II,  Feb 
ruary  18th,  1865.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and 
was  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  died  at  New  Haven,. 
March  7th,  never  having  joined  the  Regiment. 

Private  RICHARD  A.  SPENCER  was  mustered  into  Com 
pany  H  on  the  19th  and  died  on  the  26th  of  February, 
1865,  never  having  joined  the  Regiment.  He  was  a. 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  nineteen  years  of  age. 

The  following  are  reported  as  missing,  and  as  they 
have  not  been  heard  from  they  are  supposed  to  have  diedr 
Private  JOHN  J.  BRENNAN  of  C,  missing  at  the  battle- 
of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863,  one  of  the  original 
members  of  the  company,  enlisting  from  Providence,  a, 


IX   MEMORIAL. 

machinist  by  occupation,  and  nineteen  years  of  age; 
private  JOHX  E.  DEAXE  of  D,  missing  at  the  battle  of 
Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864,  one  of  the  original  mem 
bers  of  the  company,  enlisting  from  Providence,  a  sailor 
by  occupation,  and  twenty-eight  years  of  age;  private 
JAMES  G.  JOHXSOX  of  II,  whose  name  was  dropped  from 
the  rolls  in  August,  186*2, —  missing  in  the  Peninsular 
campaign  —  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Com 
pany,  enlisting  from  Coventry,  a  laborer  by  occupation, 
and  twenty-four  years  of  age.  H.  0.  TIBBITTS,  a  con 
script  in  Company  D,  is  reported  to  have  died,  June  5th, 
1864.  The  fate  of  D.  AV.  THURBER,  a  conscript  in 
Company  G,  is  unknown. 


NOTE. 

An  interesting;  incident  occurred  immediately  after  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg,  which  seems  deserving  of  record.  The  Regiment  was 
lying  in  the  road,  supporting  the  sharp-shooters,  as  mentioned  in 
the  text  of  the  narrative.  The  enemy's  dead  were  scattered  over 
the  field.  One  of  the  men  of  Company  C,  learning,  in  some  way, 
that  Captain  Foy  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  brought  to 
him  a  diploma,  bearing  the  name  of  Joseph  Wasden,  and  issued 
by  Franklin  Lodge,  "VVarrenton,  Warren  county,  Georgia.  It  had 
been  taken  from  the  body  of  a  colonel  of  a  Georgia  regiment,  which 
was  lying  in  the  road,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  position  of  the 
Regiment.  Considering  it  his  duty,  as  a  Masonic  brother,  to  see 
that  the  last  rites  were  properly  and  decently  performed,  Captain 
Foy  took  with  him  Corporal  Stalker  and  a  detail  of  two  or  three 
men,  proceeded  to  the  place,  carefully  wrapped  the  body  in  a 
blanket,  dug  a  grave  in  the  field  near  by,  under  the  sharp  fire  of 
the  enemy's  riflemen,  and  tenderly  and  reverently  deposited  the 
corpse  of  the  fallen  brother  therein.  A  green  leaf  of  corn  supplied 
the  place  of  the  customary  acacia,  and  the  soul  of  the  departed 
was  commended  to  its  God.  It  was  a  graceful  and  fraternal  act, 
and  was  well  and  considerately  performed. 
6* 


PART    IV. 


RAH    Hfi   THE 

tiULL  Ur     I 


FIELD    AND    STAFF    OFFICERS. 

COLONELS. 

YOHN  S.  SLOCUM,  Providence:  First  lieutenant,  9th 
pf  infantry,  United  States  volunteers,  February  18tb> 
ji  1847;  brevet  captain,  August  19tb,  1847;  captain, 
September  12th,  1847;  discharged  on  the  disbandment 
of  the  regiment;  major,  First  Rhode  Island  Detached 
Militia,  April  18th,  1861;  colonel,  Second  Rhode  Island,. 
May  8th,  1861;  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

FKAXK  WHEATON,  Providence:  First  lieutenant,  1st 
cavalry,  United  States  army,  March  3rd,  1855;  captain, 
March  1st,  1861;  lieutenant-colonel,  Second  Rhode  Island,, 
July  14th,  1861;  colonel,  July  22nd,  1861;  brigadier- 
general,  volunteers,  November  29th,  1862;  major,  2nd 
cavalry,  United  States  army,  November  5th,  1863;  brevet 
lieutenant-colonel,  May  5th,  1864;  brevet  colonel,  Octo 
ber  19th,  1864;  brevet  brigadier  and  major-general,. 


430  KOLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

United  States  army,  March  13th,  18G5;  brevet  major- 
general,  volunteers,  lieutenant-colonel,  39th  infantry, 
United  States  army,  July  28th,  18GG;  transferred  to  21st 
infantry,  March  loth,  1869. 

NELSON  VIALL,  Providence:  Corporal,  sergeant,  9th 
infantry,  United  States  volunteers,  1847;  first  lieutenant, 
First  Rhode  Island,  April  18th,  18G1;  captain,  Company 
C,  Second  Rhode  Island,  June  1st,  18G1;  major,  July 
22nd,  1861;  lieutenant-colonel,  June  12th,  18G2;  colonel, 
December  13tli,  1862;  resigned,  January  25th,  1863; 
major,  1st  battalion,  Fourteenth  Rhode  Island  (llth 
United  States,  colored,)  Heavy  Artillery,  August  21st, 
1863;  lieutenant-colonel,  January  loth,  1864;  mustered 
out,  October  2nd,  1865;  brevet  brigadier-general,  volun 
teers,  May  25th,  1866. 

HOEATIO  ROGERS,  Jr.,  Providence:  First  lieutenant, 
Third  Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery,  August  27th,  1861; 
captain,  October  9th,  1861;  major,  August  18th,  1862; 
colonel,  Eleventh  Rhode  Island,  December  27th,  1862; 
colonel,  Second  Rhode  Island,  January  31st,  1863;  re 
signed,  January  14th,  1864;  brevet  brigadier-general, 
United  States  volunteers,  March  13th,  1865. 

SAMUEL  B.  M.  READ,  Cleveland,  Ohio:  First  lieuten 
ant,  Company  E,  June  6th,  1861;  captain,  I,  July  22nd, 
1861;  lieutenant-colonel,  March  13th,  1863;  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  and  Spottsylvania, 
May  12th,  1864;  colonel,  June  1st,  1864;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

LIEUTENANT-COLONELS. 

FRANK  WHEATOX,  as  above. 

WILLIAM  H.  P.  STEERE,  Providence:  Captain,  Com 
pany  D,  June  1st,  1861;  lieutenant-colonel,  July  22nd, 
1861;  colonel,  Fourth  Rhode  Island,  June  12th,  1802; 


FIELD   AND   STAFF.  431 

wounded  at  the  battle  of  Antietam,  September  17th, 
1862;  mustered  out,  October  loth,  1864;  brevet  brigadier- 
general,  United  States  volunteers,  March  13th,  1865. 

NELSON  VIALL,  as  above. 

NATHAN  GOFF,  Jr.,  Warren:  Captain,  Company  G, 
June  1st,  1861;  major,  July  24th,  1862;  lieutenant-col 
onel,  December  13th,  1862;  dismissed,  March  13th,  1863; 
disability  removed  by  the  president,  May  5th,  1863; 
lieutenant-colonel,  22nd  regiment,  United  States  colored 
troops,  December  23rd,  1863;  colonel,  37th  regiment, 
United  States  colored  troops,  October  22nd,  1864;  wound 
ed  in  front  of  Petersburg,  June  15th,  1864;  brevet  briga 
dier-general,  United  States  volunteers,  March  13th,  1865. 

SAMUEL  B.  M.  READ,  as  above. 

HENRY  C.  JENCKES,  Providence:  Quartermaster-ser 
geant,  June  5th,  1861;  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  and  subsequently  escaped;  second 
lieutenant,  Company  I,  August  7th,  1861;  first  lieutenant, 
D,  November  1st,  1861;  major,  March  2nd,  1863;  lieu 
tenant-colonel,  June  6th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th, 
1864. 

MAJORS. 

SULLIVAN  BALLOU,  Woonsocket:  Major,  June  llth, 
1861;  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 
21st,  1861. 

NELSON  VIALL,  NATHAN  GOFF,  Jr.,  as  above. 

THORNDIKE  C.  JAMESON,  Providence:  Chaplain,  June 
llth,  1861;  major,  December  13th,  1862;  resigned,  Jan 
uary  8th,  1863;  major,  Fifth  Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artil 
lery,  March  2nd,  1863;  dismissed,  February  2nd,  1865. 

HENRY  C.  JENCKES,  as  above. 

STEPHEN  H.  BROWN,  Woonsocket:  First  lieutenant, 
Company  I,  June  6th,  1861;  captain,  D,  September 


432  ROLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

38th,  1SGI;  major,  June  9th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

ADJUTANTS. 

SAMUEL  J.  SMITH,  Providence:  Second  lieutenant, 
•Company  K,  and  adjutant,  June  6th,  1861;  first  lieuten 
ant,  July  22nd,  1861;  resigned,  January  6th,  1863. 

WILLIAM  J.  BRADFORD,  Bristol:  Corporal,  Company 
O,  June  6th,  1861;  sergeant-major,  July  24th,  1862; 
first  lieutenant  and  adjutant,  February  22nd,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  E,  November  6th,  1863;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

ELISHA  H.  RHODES,  Providence:  Corporal,  Company 
D,  June  6th,  1861;  sergeant-major,  March  1st,  1862; 
second  lieutenant,  Company  D,  July  24th,  1862;  first 
lieutenant,  D,  March  2nd,  1863;  adjutant,  November 
7th,  1863;  captain,  May  5th,  1864.  See  roll  of  Veteran 
organization. 

THORNDIKE  J.  SMITH,  Glocester:  Private,  Company 
D,  June  6th,  1861;  lance-corporal,  February  5th,  1862; 
sergeant,  August  12th,  1862;  sergeant-major,  February 
22nd,  1863;  second  lieutenant,  Company  F,  September 
7th,  1863;  adjutant.  See  roll  of  Veteran  organization. 


QUARTERMASTERS. 

JAMES  ABORN,  Providence:  First  lieutenant,  Company 
B,  and  quartermaster,  June  6th,  1861;  resigned,  March 
13th,  1863. 

JAMES  H.  TATE,  Providence:  Commissary-sergeant, 
June  6th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  Company  B,  July 
24th,  1862;  transferred  to  C,  November  1st,  1862;  first 
lieutenant,  January  22nd,  1863;  quartermaster,  March 
16th,  1863;  resigned,  March  llth,  1864. 


FIELD   AND   STAFF.  433 

SURGEONS. 

FRANCIS  L.  WHEATON,  Providence:  Surgeon,  First 
Rhode  Island,  April  18th,  1861;  surgeon,  Second  Rhode 
Island,  June  6th,  1861;  resigned,  September  12th,  1862. 
NOTE.  Doctor  Wheaton  served  in  Mexico,  on  the  medi 
cal  staff  of  the  army. 

GEORGE  W.  CARR,  Providence:  Assistant  surgeon, 
First  Rhode  Island,  April  18th,  1861;  assistant  surgeon, 
Second  Rhode  Island,  August  27th,  1861;  surgeon,  Sep 
tember  12th,  1862;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

ASSISTANT   SURGEONS. 

GEORGE  W.  CARR,  as  above. 

JAMES  HARRIS,  Providence:  Assistant  surgeon,  First 
Rhode  Island,  April  18th,  1861;  assistant  surgeon,  Sec 
ond  Rhode  Island,  June  23rd,  1861;  taken  prisoner  at 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  released  on 
parole,  September,  1861;  surgeon,  Seventh  Rhode  Island, 
August  18th,  1862;  mustered  out,  June  9th,  1865.  NOTE. 
Doctor  Harris  served  on  the  surgical  staff  of  the  Russian 
army  in  the  war  in  the  Crimea,  1854.  Since  the  war  he 
has  served  in  the  United  States  navy. 

MAURICE  E.  JONES:  Assistant  surgeon,  October  29th, 
1862;  discharged,  May  30th,  1863. 

Lucius  S.  BOLLES,  Philadelphia:  Assistant  surgeon, 
March  9th,  1863;  resigned,  September  10th,  1863. 

WILLIAM  F.  SMITH,  Providence:  Assistant  surgeon, 
March  9th,  1864.  See  roll  of  Veteran  organization. 

CHAPLAINS. 

THORNDIKE  C.  JAMESON,  as  above. 

JOHN  D.  BEUGLESS,  Pawtuxet  (Cranston):   Chaplain, 

37 


434  ROLL   OF  THE    REGIMENT. 

September  llth,  1803;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th, 
18G4;  chaplain,  United  States  navy,  1864. 


NON-COMMISSIONED    STAFF. 

SERGEANT-MAJORS. 

EDWARD  A.  RUSSELL,  Woonsocket:  Sergeant-major, 
June  5th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  Company  G,  July 
22nd,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  C,  October  28th,  1861;  cap 
tain,  A,  October  10th,  1862;  mustered  out,  June  17th, 
1864. 

ADIN  B.  C  APRON,  Woonsocket:  Sergeant,  Company 
I,  June  5th,  1861;  sergeant-major,  July  22nd,  1861; 
second  lieutenant,  D,  October  llth,  and  detailed  as  signal 
officer,  December  27th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  E,  July 
24th,  1862;  discharged,  October  14th,  1863;  first  lieuten 
ant,  United  States  Signal  Corps,  commission  dating, 
March  3rd,  1863;  mustered  out,  September  1st,  1865. 

GEORGE  CLENDENXIN,  Jr.,  New  York:  Private,  Com 
pany  F,  September  5th,  1861;  sergeant-major,  November 
4th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  Company  E,  January  31st, 
1862;  captain  (assistant  adjutant-general),  March  llth, 
1863;  major,  December  24th,  1864.  . 

ELISHA  H.  RHODES,  WILLIAM  J.  BRADFORD  and 
THORNDIKE  J.  SMITH,  as  above. 

GEORGE  T.  EASTERBROOKS,  Bristol:  Private,  Company 
G,  June  6th,  1861;  corporal,  July  22nd,  1861;  sergeant, 
November  1st,  1862;  sergeant-major,  September  12th, 
1863.  See  roll  of  Veteran  organization. 


NON-COMMISSIONED   STAFF.  435 

QUARTERMASTER-SERGEANTS. 

HENRY  C.  JENCKES,  as  above. 

THOMAS  T.  BURKE,  Providence:  Private,  Company 
A,  August  1st,  1861;  quartermaster-sergeant,  August 
7th,  1861;  honorably  discharged,  July  28th,  1862. 

KOBERT  W.  SMALL,  Woonsocket:  Private,  Company 
I,  June  6th,  1861;  quartermaster-sergeant,  July  28th, 
1862.  See  roll  of  Veteran  organization. 

COMMISSARY-SERGEANTS. 

JAMES  H.  TATE,  as  above. 

JOHN  M.  TURNER,  Providence:  Private,  Company  I, 
June  6th,  1861;  commissary-sergeant,  July  24th,  1862; 
second  lieutenant,  I,  September  14th,  1863;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GEORGE  H.  CHENERY,  Providence:  Private,  Company 
I,  December  31st,  1861;  corporal,  August  27th,  1861; 
commissary-sergeant,  September  24th,  1863.  See  roll  of 
Veteran  organization. 

HOSPITAL   STEWARDS. 

EDWIN  A.  C  ALDER,  Providence:  Hospital  steward, 
June  5th,  1861;  discharged,  October  12th,  1862,  to  be 
hospital  steward,  United  States  army,  October  13th,  1862; 
honorably  discharged,  December  30th,  1863;  second  lieu 
tenant,  Third  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  not  mustered. 

LEVI  F.  CARR,  Providence:  Sergeant,  Company  D, 
June  6th,  1861;  hospital  steward,  November  1st,  1862; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WILLIAM  L.  WHEATON,  Providence:  Private,  Com 
pany  G,  June  6th,  1861;  hospital  steward  (assistant); 
second  lieutenant,  F,  September  28th,  1861;  first  lien- 


436  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

tenant,   July   24th,    1862;    mustered   out,   June    17th,. 
1864. 

DRUM-MAJOR  JEREMIAH  S.  POTTER,  Providence: 
Musician,  Company  D,  June  6th,  1861;  drum-major, 
July  24th,  1862;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

FIFE-MAJOR  JOHN  H.  TENNANT,  Warwick:  Musician, 
Company  A,  June  5th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  fife-major;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 


CAPTAINS. 

WILLIAM  H.  P.  STEERE,  NELSON  VIALL,  as  above. 

JOHN  WRIGHT,  Providence:  Captain,  Company  B, 
June  1st,  1861;  major,  Fifth  Rhode  Island,  November 
7th,  1861;  resigned,  July  25th,  1862. 

ISAAC  P.  RODMAN,  South  Kingstown:  Captain,  Com 
pany  E,  June  1st,  1861;  lieutenant-colonel,  Fourth  Rhode 
Island,  October  19th,  1861;  colonel,  October  30th,  1861; 
brigadier-general,  volunteers,  April  28th,  1862;  mortally 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Antietam,  September  17th,. 
and  died,  September  30th,  1862. 

NATHAN  GOFF,  Jr.,  as  above. 

LEVI  TOWER,  Pawtucket:  Ensign,  First  Rhode  Island, 
.April  18th,  1861;  captain,  Company  F,  Second  Rhode 
Island,  June  1st,  1861;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,. 
July  21st,  1861. 

CHARLES  W.  TURNER,  Newport:  Captain,  Company 
K,  June  1st,  1861;  resigned,  November  28th,  1861;  first 
lieutenant,  Second  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  January  24th, 
1863;  mustered  out,  August  24th,  1863;  first  lieutenant,. 
Third  Cavalry,  March  30th,  1864;  mustered  out,  Novem 
ber  29th,  1865. 


CAPTAINS.  437 

CYRUS  G.  DYER,  Providence:  First  lieutenant  (quarter 
master),  First  Rhode  Island,  April  18th,  1861;  captain, 
Company  A,  Second  Rhode  Island,  June  1st,  1861; 
major,  Twelfth  Rhode  Island,  October  10th,  1862;  mus 
tered  out,  July  29th,  1863. 

CHARLES  W.  GREEN,  East  Greenwich:  Captain,  Com 
pany  H,  June  1st,  1801;  resigned,  June  27th,  1861; 
captain,  19th  infantry,  United  States  army,  to  date  from 
May  14th,  1861;  resigned,  September  30th,  1862. 

S.  JAMES  SMITH,  Providence:  Captain,  Company  I, 
June  6th,  1861;  killed  on  the  retreat  from  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

BERIAH  S.  BROWN,  East  Greenwich:  First  lieutenant, 
Company  II,  June  6th,  1861;  captain,  June  28th,  1861; 
resigned,  January  1st,  1863. 

GEORGE  W.  WEEDEN,  Pawtucket:  First  lieutenant, 
Company  G,  June  6th,  1861;  captain,  F,  July  22nd, 
1861,  resigned,  October  1st,  1861;  acting  master,  United 
States  navy;  resigned,  August  5th,  1862;  second  lieu 
tenant,  Fourteenth  Rhode  Island  (llth  United  States) 
Heavy  Artillery,  November  7th,  1863;  first  lieutenant, 
May  llth,  1865;  mustered  out,  October  2nd,  1865. 

EDWARD  H.  SEARS,  Providence:  First  lieutenant, 
Company  D,  June  6th,  1861;  captain,  July  22nd,  1861; 
resigned,  October  18th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  First 
Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery,  October  19th,  1861;  re 
signed,  November  14th,  1862. 

SAMUEL  B.  M.  READ,  as  above. 

OTIS  P.  G.  CLARKE,  Newport:  First  lieutenant,  Com 
pany  K,  June  6th,  1861;  captain,  C,  July  22nd,  1861; 
honorably  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  July  21st, 
1862. 

STEPHEN  H.  BROWN,  as  above. 

EDWARD  STANLEY,  Pawtucket:  First  lieutenant,  Com- 
37* 


438  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

pany  C,  June  6th,  1861;  captain,  E,  October  25th,  1861; 
wounded  before  Richmond,  June  25th,  1862;  resigned, 
February  9th,  1863. 

WILLIAM  B.  SEARS,  Providence:  First  lieutenant, 
Company  F,  June  6th,  1861;  captain,  October  28th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HENRY  H.  YOUNG,  Providence:  Second  lieutenant, 
Company  B,  June  6th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  July  22nd» 
1861;  captain,  November  12th,  1861.  See  roll  of  Veteran 
organization. 

EDWIN  K.  SHERMAN,  Newport:  Second  lieutenant, 
Company  C,  June  6th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  E,  July 
22nd,  1861;  captain,  K,  November  28th,  1861;  died  in 
-hospital,  New  York  city,  July  15th,  1862. 

WILLIAM  AMES,  Providence:  Second  lieutenant,  Com 
pany  D,  June  6th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  October  25th, 
1861;  captain,  G,  July  21st,  1862;  major,  Third-  Rhode- 
Island,  January  28th,  1863;  lieutenant-colonel,  March 
22nd,  1864;  colonel,  October  10th,  1864;  brevet  briga 
dier-general,  volunteers,  March  13th,  1865;  mustered 
out,  August  27th,  1865. 

THOMAS  FOY,  East  Greenwich:  Second  lieutenant, 
Company  H,  June  6th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  A,  October 
llth,  1861;  captain,  C,  July  24th,  1862;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

JOHN  P.  SHAW,  Providence:  Sergeant-major,  First 
Rhode  Island,  April  18th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  Com 
pany  F,  Second  Rhode  Island,  June  6th,  1861;  first 
lieutenant,  K,  July  22nd,  1861;  captain,  July  24th, 
1862;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th, 
1864. 

EDWARD  A.  RUSSELL,  as  above. 

JOSEPH  MclNTYRE,  Pawtucket:  Second  lieutenant, 
Fifth  Rhode  Island,  November  llth,  1862;  first  lieutcn- 


CAPTAINS.  43  £> 

ant,  February  14th,  1863;  captain,  Company  E,  Second 
Rhode  Island,  February  17th,  18G3;  killed  at  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864. 

WILLIAM  G.  TURNER,  Newport:  Sergeant,  Company 
K,  June  5th,  18G1;  second  lieutenant,  K,  July  22nd,. 
1861;  first  lieutenant,  E,  November  28th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  G,  July  24th,  1862;  to  F,  November  29th,. 
1862;  captain,  G,  February  22nd,  1863;  honorably  dis 
charged,  July  21st,  1863. 

SAMUEL  J.  ENGLISH,  Providence:  Sergeant,  Company 
D,  June  6th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  G,  November 
]3th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  A,  July  24th,  1862;  captain,. 
H,  February  22nd,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JOHN  R.  WATERHOUSE,  Woonsocket:  First  sergeant, 
Company  I,  June  6th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  I,  October 
28th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  February  22nd,  1863;  cap 
tain,  May  10th,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JOHN  G.  BEVERIDGE,  Cincinnati,  Ohio:  Private,  First 
Rhode  Island,  April  18th,  1861;  sergeant,  Company  H,. 
Second  Rhode  Island,  August  21st,  1861;  second  lieuten 
ant,  K,  December  llth,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  G,  July 
21st,  1862;  captain,  August  9th,  1863;  wounded  at  the- 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864;  mustered  out,, 
June  17th,  1864. 

ELISHA  H.  RHODES,  as  above. 

FIRST   LIEUTENANTS. 

STEPHEN  T.  ARNOLD,  Providence:  First  lieutenant,. 
Company  A,  June  6th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  resigned,  October  26th,  1861. 

BERIAH  S.  BROWN,  GEORGE  W.  WEEDEN,  EDWARD* 
H.  SEARS,  SAMUEL  B.  M.  READ,  OTIS  P.  G.  CLARKE, 
STEPHEN  H.  BROWN,  EDWARD  STANLEY,  WILLIAM  B. 
SEARS,  JAMES  ABORN,  as  above. 


440  ROLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

LEWIS  II.  BOWEN,  Providence:  Second  lieutenant, 
Company  G,  June  6th,  1SG1;  first  lieutenant,  July  22nd, 
1861;  resigned,  July  18th,  1862;  first  lieutenant,  Fifth 
Rhode  Island,  August  4th,  1803;  captain,  February  27th, 
1865;  mustered  out,  August  30th,  1865. 

SAMUEL  J.  SMITH,  HENRY  H.  YOUNG,  EDWIN  K. 
SHERMAN,  JOHN  P.  SHAW,  THOMAS  FOY,  WILLIAM: 
AMES,  EDWARD  A.  RUSSELL,  WILLIAM  G.  TURNER,  as 
above. 

ISAAC  M.  CHURCH,  South  Kingstown:  Second  lieuten 
ant,  Company  E,  June  6th,  1861;  taken  prisoner  at  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  II, 
September  28th,  1861;  captain,  Fourth  Rhode  Island, 
August  27th,  1862;  resigned,  December  27th,  1862; 
died,  October  27th,  1874. 

HENRY  C.  JENCKES,  as  above. 

WILLIAM  I.  ELLIS,  Providence:  Second  lieutenant, 
Company  F,  July  22nd,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  November 
1st,  1861;  resigned,  October  14th,  1862. 

JOHN  M.  DUFFY,  Providence:  Color-sergeant,  Com 
pany  C,  June  5th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  C,  July 
22nd,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  B,  November  13th,  1861; 
resigned,  and  accepted  an  appointment  of  first  lieuten 
ant,  13th  United  States  infantry,  November  26th,  1861, 
commission  dating,  August  5th,  1861;  captain,  22nd 
infantry,  November  8th,  1864;  brevet  major  and  lieu 
tenant-colonel;  resigned,  January  13th,  1871. 

THOMAS  II.  CARR,  Providence:  Second  lieutenant, 
Company  E,  November  7th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  H, 
January  24th,  1862;  died,  January  1st,  1863. 

JOHN  G.  BEVERIDGE,  WILLIAM  L.  AVHEATON,  ADIN; 
B.  CAPRON,  SAMUEL  J.  ENGLISH,  as  above. 

MOSES  W.  COLLINS,  WTarwick:  Second  lieutenant, 
Company  A,  July  30th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  B,  July 


FIRST   LIEUTENANTS.  441 

24th,  1862;  resigned,  December  27th,  1862;  second 
lieutenant.  Third  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,'  August  18th,. 
1863;  honorably  discharged,  December  27th,  1864;  since- 
died. 

BENJAMIN  B.  MANCHESTER,  Providence:  First  ser 
geant,  Company  B,  June  6th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,. 
B,  October  25th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  F,  July  24th,. 
1862;  transferred  to  I,  November  1st,  1862;  resigned,. 
January  llth,  1863. 

JAMES  LAWLESS,  Providence:  Sergeant,  Company  C,. 
June  5th,  1861;  provost-sergeant,  August  31st,  1861; 
second  lieutenant,  C,  December  18th,  1861;  first  lieuten 
ant,  October  10th,  1862;  honorably  discharged,  January 
17th,  1863. 

AMOS  M.  BOWEN,  Providence:  Private,  First  Rhode- 
Island,  April  18th,  1861;  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  released,  May,  1862;  first 
lieutenant,  Second  Rhode  Island,  Company  C,  January 
22nd,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CHARLES  H.  O'CONNOR,  Providence:  First  lieutenant,, 
Company  B,  February  17th,  1863;  resigned,  July  31st, 
1863. 

JOHN  R.  WATERHOUSE,  JAMES  H.  TATE,  WILLIAM  J. 
BRADFORD,  as  above. 

CHARLES  A.  WALDRON,  Bristol:  Sergeant,  Company 
G,  June  6th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  E,  July  24th, 
1862;  first  lieutenant,  B,  February  22nd,  1863;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

ELISHA  H.  RHODES,  as  above. 

DAVID  A.  HOLMES,  Providence:  Corporal,  Third  Rhode- 
Island,  August  20th,  1861;  first  lieutenant,  Second  Rhode- 
Island,  Company  H,  March  3rd,  1863;  resigned,  August 
18th,  1863.  . 

STEPHEN  WEST,  Jr.,  Smithfield:   Sergeant,  Company 


442  ROLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

F,  June  6th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  K,  July  21st, 
1862;  first  lieutenant/  I,  May  10th,  1863;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

OBED  H.  GIFFORD,  Newport:  First  sergeant,  Company 
K,  June  5th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  July  24th,  1862; 
transferred  to  G,  November  1st,  1862;  first  lieutenant,. 
F,  May  21st,  1863;  transferred  to  G,  August  29th,  1863; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CHARLES  T.  BROWN,  South  Kingstown:  Private,  Com 
pany  E,  June  6th,  1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  ser 
geant,  March  5th,  1862;  second  lieutenant,  H,  October 
10th,  1862;  first  lieutenant,  August  9th,  1863;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HENRY  K.  SOUTHWICK,  Providence:  Second  lieuten 
ant,  Company  F,  August  29th,  1862;  first  lieutenant, 
August  9th,  1863;  captain,  Fourteenth  Rhode  Island 
(llth  United  States,  colored,),  February  1st,  1864;  mus 
tered  out,  October  2nd,  1865. 

EDMUND  F.  PRENTISS,  Providence:  Corporal,  Com 
pany  C,  June  5th,  1861;  sergeant,  November  4th,  1861; 
first  sergeant,  October  2nd,  1862;  second  lieutenant,  K, 
May  10th,  1863;  first  lieutenant,  A,  October  30th,  1863; 
wounded  near  Spottsylvania,  May  18th,  1864.  See  roll 
of  Veteran  organization. 

CHARLES  J.  TINKHAM,  Providence:  Corporal,  Com 
pany  D,  June  6th,  1861;  sergeant,  August  20th,  1861; 
second  lieutenant,  D,  February  22nd,  1863;  first  lieuten 
ant,  December  14th,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th, 
1864. 

SAMUEL  B.  RUSSELL,  Providence:  Sergeant,  Company 
B,  June  6th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  B,  July  24th, 
1862;  first  lieutenant,  I,  February  12th,  1864.  See  roll 
of  Veteran  organization. 


SECOND    LIEUTENANTS.  443 

SECOND   LIEUTENANTS. 

LEWIS  H.  BOWEN,  SAMUEL  J.  SMITH,  HENRY  H. 
YOUNG,  EDWIN  K.' SHERMAN,  JOHN  P.  SHAW,  ISAAC 
M.  CHURCH,  THOMAS  For,  as  above. 

HENRY  C.  COOK,  Fall  River,  Massachusetts:  Second 
lieutenant,  Company  I,  June  6th,  1861;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  resigned  and  ap 
pointed  first  lieutenant,  16th  United  States  Infantry, 
August  5th,  1861;  adjutant,  March  15th,  1862;  brevet 
•captain,  September  1st,  1864;  captain,  September  24th, 
1864;  transferred  to  2nd  infantry,  April  17th,  1869. 

HENRY  WILLIAMS,  Providence:  Second  lieutenant, 
Company  A,  June  6th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  resigned,  July  29th,  1861. 

WILLIAM  AMES,  EDWARD  A.  RUSSELL,  JOHN  M. 
DUFFY,  WILLIAM  G.  TURNER,  as  above. 

JOSEPH  S.  MANCHESTER,  Providence:  First  sergeant, 
Company  G,  June  6th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  July 
22nd,  1861;  resigned,  December  llth,  1861;  sergeant- 
major,  Seventh  Rhode  Island,  September  6th,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December  13th, 
1862;  second  lieutenant,  January  7th,  1863;  first  lieuten 
ant,  March  1st,  1863;  resigned,  July  26th,  1864;  died, 
May  4th,  1872. 

WILLIAM  IRVING  ELLIS,  HENRY  C.  JENCKES,  as  above. 

NICHOLAS  UNDERWOOD,  Providence:  First  sergeant, 
Company  C,  June  5th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  H, 
November  1st,  1861;  resigned,  August  9th,  1862. 

THOMAS  H.  CARR,  JOHN  G.  BEVERIDGE,  ADIN  B. 
CAPRON,  MOSES  W.  COLLINS,  BENJAMIN  B.  MANCHES 
TER,  WILLIAM  L.  WHEATON,  SAMUEL  J.  ENGLISH, 
JAMES  LAWLESS,  JOHN  R,  WATERHOUSE,  GEORGE  CLEN- 
DENNIN,  Jr.,  STEPHEN  WEST,  Jr.,  ELISHA  H.  RHODES, 
OBED  H.  GIFFORD,  CHARLES  A.  WALDRON,  JAMES  H. 


444  ROLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

TATE,  SAMUEL  B.  RUSSELL,  HENRY  K.  SOUTHWICK, 
•CHARLES  T.  BROWN,  as  above. 

CLARK  E.  BATES,  Warwick:  Sergeant,  Company  A, 
June  6th,  1861;  first  sergeant,  August  20th,  1861;  second 
lieutenant,  I,  February  22nd,  1863;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  died,  July  18th,  1863. 

AARON  W.  CLARKE,  Cumberland:  Private,  Company 
F,  June  6th,  1861;  corporal,  July  22nd,  1861;  sergeant, 
December  29th,  1861;  first  sergeant,  November  28th, 
1862;  second  lieutenant,  E,  February  22nd,  1863;  wound- 
•ed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CHARLES  J.  TINKIIAM,  EDMUND  F.  PRENTISS,  as 
-above. 

PATRICK  LYONS,  South  Kingstown:  Corporal,  Com 
pany  E,  June  6th,  1861;  sergeant,  August  1st,  1861; 
first  sergeant,  November  28th,  1862;  second  lieutenant, 
A,  May  10th,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilder 
ness,  May  5th,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GEORGE  L.  NASON,  East  Greenwich:  Sergeant,  Com 
pany  H,  June  6th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem 
Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  first  sergeant,  October  7th, 
1863;  second  lieutenant,  C,  May  10th,  1863;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HENRY  C.  DIXON,  South  Kingstown:  Corporal,  Com 
pany  E,  June  6th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  July  21st,  1861;  sergeant,  August  3rd,  1862;  second 
lieutenant,  G,  May  21st,  1863;  transferred  to  H,  Septem 
ber  12th,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

THOMAS  F.  USHER,  Bristol:  Sergeant,  Company  G, 
June  6th,  1861;  second  lieutenant,  G,  July  30th,  1863; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

THORNDIKE  J.  SMITH,  JOHN  M.  TURNER,  as  above. 


COMPANY    A.  445- 


COMPANY   A. 

f^APTAIXS:    CYRUS  G.  DYER  and  EDWARD  A.  RUS 
SELL. 

First  Lieutenants:    STEPHEN  T.  ARNOLD,  THOMAS 
FOY,  SAMUEL  J.  ENGLISH  and  EDMUND  F.  PRENTISS. 

Second  Lieutenants:  HENRY  WILLIAMS,  MOSES  W. 
COLLINS,  GEORGE  CLENDENNIN,  Jr.,  and  PATRICK  LYONS. 

SERGEANTS. 

ASA  WILSON,  Providence:  First  sergeant,  June  6th,. 
1861;  discharged,  July  13th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate. 

CLARK  E.  BATES,  as  above. 

WILLIAM  DAWLEY,  Warwick:  Sergeant,  June  5th, 
1861;  discharged,  March  20th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate. 

WARREN  RALPH,  Scituate:  Sergeant.  June  5th,  1861; 
discharged.  March  30th,  1864;  first  lieutenant.  Four 
teenth  Rhode  Island,  April  6th,  1864;  mustered  out, 
October  2nd,  1865. 

JAMES  TAGGART.  Providence:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
sergeant,  June  28th,  1861:  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  July  21st,  1861;  discharged,  January  13th,  1862, 
on  surgeon's  certificate. 

JOHN  WELLS,  Warwick:  Corporal,  June  5th,  1861; 
38 


446  KOLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

sergeant,  August  20th,  1861;  discharged,  August  26th, 
1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

ANDREW  McMAHON,  Scituate:  Corporal,  June  5th, 
1S01;  sergeant,  August  20th,  1861;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

CHARLES  W.  GLEASON,  Warwick:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  20th,  1861;  sergeant,  January 
17th,  1862;  first  sergeant,  February  22nd,  1863;  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863.  Sec  roll  of  Veteran 
organization. 

SANFORD  E.  MOON, Warwick:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal,  August  20th,  1861;  sergeant,  February  22nd, 
1863;  wounded  and  missing  at  the  battle  of  Salem 
Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  supposed  to  have  died. 

PETER  WHELAN,  Warwick:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal,  July  9th,  1862;  sergeant,  April  18th,  1863; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863 ; 
reenlisted,  January  26th,  1864.  See  roll  of  Veteran 
organization. 

SAMUEL  BLACK,  Warwick:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal,  August  20th,  1861;  sergeant,  September  30th, 
1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

NATHAN  A.  SISSON,  Warwick:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  January  12th,  1862;  color-guard,  Novem 
ber  17th,  1863;  sergeant,  April  4th,  1864;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

CORPORALS. 

JOHN  WELLS,  ANDREW  McM.\HON,  as  above. 

ALEXANDER  M.  WARNER,  Warwick:  Corporal,  June 
5th,  1861;  discharged,  August  19th,  1861,  on  surgeon's 
certificate. 

WILLIAM  B.  DOUGLASS,    Coventry:    Corporal,   June 


(OMI'AXY    A.  Mi 

5th,  1861;  discharged,  August  26th,  1861,  on  surgeon's 
certificate. 

ZINA  W.  JOHNSON,  Cranston:  Corporal,  June  5th, 
1861;  discharged,  August  26th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate. 

ALBERT  L.  CARTER,  Warwick:  Corporal,  June  5th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JOSEPH  LEWIS,  Warwick:  Corporal,  June  5th,  1861; 
discharged,  March  7th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

WILLIAM  P.  BENTLEY,  Warwick:  Corporal,  June  5th, 
1 861 ;  killed,  June  25th,  1862,  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines. 

EDWARD  H.  SEARLE,  Warwick:  Corporal,  June  5th, 
1861;  discharged,  March  24th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate. 

STILLMAX  T.  MATTESOX,  Scituate:  Corporal,  August 
1st,  1861;  died,  June  9th,  1862,  in  hospital  in  New 
York  city. 

WARREN  C.  LAWTOX,  Warwick:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  20th,.  1861;  reenlisted,  December 
26th,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May 
12th,  1864.  See  roll  of  Veteran  organization. 

NATHAN  A.  Sissox,  as  above. 

JOEL  RICE,  Warwick:  Private,  June  6th,  1861;  cor 
poral,  January  17th,  1862;  wounded,  missing,  probably 
killed,  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863. 

LEWIS  B.  WILSOX,  Warwick:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  July  8th,  1862;  killed  at  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864. 

RICHARD  NICHOLS, Warwick:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  February  22nd,  1863;  wounded  in  front  of 
Spottsylvania,  May  18th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th, 
1864.  * 

ANDREW  J.  ALDRICH,  Warren:  Private,  October  18th, 
1861;  corporal,  March  7th,  1863;  reenlisted,  December 


448  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

26th,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,. 
May  5th,  1864.  See  roll  of  Veteran  organization. 

JAMES  McKAY,  Warwick:  Private,  June  5th,  1861;. 
corporal,  April  18th,  1863;  reenlisted,  December  26th, 
1863.  See  roll  of  Veteran  organization. 

EDWIN  TANNER,  Warwick:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal,  September  30th,  1863;  color-guard,  April  7th, 
1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

Musicians:  WILLIAM  H.  TOURJEE,  Warwick:  Mu 
sician,  June  5th,  1861;  discharged,  August  26th,  1863,. 
on  surgeon's  certificate. 

JOHN  H.  TENNANT,  as  above. 

Wagoner:  GEORGE  W.  BATES,  Warwick:  Wagoner,. 
June  5th,  1861;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863.  See- 
roll  of  Veteran  organization. 

PRIVATES. 

ABBOTT,  Albert  H.,  Scituate:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

ALDRICH,  Andrew  J.,  as  above. 

ALEXANDER,  Herman,  Germany:  July  8th,  1863;: 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

AMAR,  William,  Germany:  July  4th,  1863;  deserted,. 
August  21st,  1863. 

ANDERSON,  Henry,  England:  July  8th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

ARMSTRONG,  James,  Providence:  October  24th,  1861;; 
died  from  wounds  received  in  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines, 
June  25th,  1862. 

ARNOLD,  Christian,  Germany:  August  12th,  1863;; 
deserted,  August  26th,  1863. 

ARNOLD,  Nathan,  Providence:  July  10th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 


COMPANY   A.  449 

BELLOWS,  Josiah  W.,  Warwick:  October  25th,  18G1; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

BIDDLEMAN,  William,  Providence:  September  2nd, 
1862;  uncertain. 

BLACK,  Samuel,  Warwick,  as  above. 

BOLTON,  Henry,  England:  August  10th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  United  States  navy,  April  15th,  1864. 

Boss,  Asahel,  Providence:  September  3rd,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  March  7th,  1864. 

BOY  LING,  Peter,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  deserted, 
December  4th,  1862. 

BOYNTON,  George,  Prussia:    July  8th,  1863;   trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

BRIGGS,  Charles  E.,  Warwick:  September  3rd,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  August  4th,  1863; 
mustered  out,  July  1st,  1865. 

BROWN,  Charles,  Germany:  August  10th,  1863;  de 
serted,  October  23rd,  1863. 

BROWN,  Lawrence,  New  Brunswick:  July  1st,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization, 

BRUNO,  Nicola,  Gibraltar:  July  9th,  1863;  uncer 
tain. 

BRUNO,  Richard,  Greece:  July  8th,  1863;  deserted, 
October  27th,  1863. 

BURKE,  Thomas  T.,  as  above. 

BURNS,  Samuel,  Ireland:  August  10th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

CADY,  Joel  E. ,  Jr.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  October  17th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CADY,  William  S.,  Providence:  September  4th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

CALLIGAN,  James,  Providence:   September  29th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 
38* 


450  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

CAMPBELL,  Patrick,  Warwick:  October  loth,  1801; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

CARROLL,  James,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  deserted,. 
October  18th,  1862. 

CHURCH,  Benjamin  J.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;. 
mustered  out,  February  16th,  1865. 

CLAYTON,  John,  Connecticut:  June  5th,  1861;  de 
serted,  June  19th,  1861. 

COLLINS,  James,  Coventry:  June  5th,  1861;  discharged* 
October  18th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CORY,  John  A.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  discharged,. 
June  19th,  1861. 

COVILLE,  David  H.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  August  18th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

COYLE,  James  H.,  Coventry:  June  5th,  1861;  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
A,  Veteran  organization. 

CROCKER,  Charles  E.,  Attleboro',  Massachusetts:  July 
8th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

CROSBY,  John  J.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  reen- 
listed,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  A> 
Veteran  organization. 

CROSBY,  Samuel,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  August  26th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

DONNELLEY,  Peter,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

DUNBAR, William  II.,  Massachusetts:  June  28th,  1861; 
discharged,  September  26th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

EVERETT,  Samuel  H.,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  June- 
6th,  1861;  discharged,  August  26th,  1861,  on  surgeon's 
certificate. 

FAY,  Michael,  Providence:  December  5th,  1861;  died> 
September  27th,  1862,  at  Downesville,  Maryland. 


COMPANY   A.  451 

FENNER,  John,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

FINNEGAN,  Owen,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  deserted,. 
April  18th,  1863. 

FLYNN,  Thomas,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
Diit,  June  17th,  1864. 

FUXT,  Thomas,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  discharged,. 
October  llth,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

GARDNER,  John  X.,  Scituate:  June  5th,  1861;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  May  15th,  1864. 

GLEASON,  Charles  W.,  as  above. 

GORTON,  Benjamin,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  December  31st,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

GREENE,  Peter,  Olneyville:  March  17th,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  September  21st,  1863. 

GRIMES,  Thomas,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  April  26th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

HADLEY,  Charles  E.,  Scituate:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HASKELL,  Joseph  E.,  Connecticut:  June  5th,  1861; 
discharged,  June  10th,  1861. 

HENRY,  Asa  B.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HENRY,  Thomas,  Cranston:  October  28th,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

HILL,  John  D.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  discharged, 
September  28th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

HOPKINS,  Albert  E.,  Providence:  March  15th,  1862; 
wounded  slightly  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th> 
1862;  transferred  to  Battery  C,  First  Light  Artillery, 
December  llth,  1863;  mustered  out,  March  14th,  1865. 


452  ROLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

HULL,  William  H.,  Providence:  February  26th,  1862; 
discharged,  September  10th,  1862. 

JOHNSON,  Welcome  0.,  Coventry:  June  5th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JORDAN,  James  B.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862. 

LAWTON,  Ambrose  W.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861; 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864. 

LAWTON,  Henry  C.,  Scituate:  June  5th,  1861;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  died, 
April  7th,  1863,  in  hospital. 

LAWTON,  John  F.,  Scituate:  August  llth,  1862;  died, 
November  12th,  1862. 

LAWTON,  Warren  C.,  as  above. 

LEVALLY,  John, Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  discharged, 
March  27th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

LEWIS,  Job,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

LEWIS,  William  A.,  Baltic,  Connecticut:  June  5th, 
1861;  discharged,  May  29th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate. 

LIVSEY,  Joseph,  East  Greenwich:  March  6th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

MAHONEY,  John,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  trans^ 
f erred  to  the  Western  gunboat  flotilla,  February  14th, 
1862. 

MAKEE,  Alfred  0.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  November  29th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

MANCHESTER,  George  R,  Warren:  October  14th, 
1861;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to 
Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

MARSDEN,  George,  Coventry:  June  5th,  1861;  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864. 


COMPANY    A.  40:> 

MARTIN,  Owen,  2nd,  Providence:  October  12th,  1861; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  18G3;  transferred  to  Com 
pany  A,  Veteran  organization. 

MATTESOX,  Harrison  G.,  Scituate:  August  1st,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

MATTESOX,  Oliver  S.,  Coventry:  June  5th,  1861;  taken 
prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861; 
released,  January  13th,  .1862;  discharged,  September 
2Tth,  1802,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

MIXER,  Christopher,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  died,. 
November  18th,  1802,  at  Washington,  District  of  Colum 
bia. 

Moox,  Stanford  E.,  as  above. 

MORRISOX,  Michael,  Fall  River,  Massachusetts:   Octo 
ber  29th,  18G1;  discharged,  July  loth,  1863,  dishonorably. 
McCAXXA,  John,    Providence:    October   29th,  1861; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;   transferred  to  Com 
pany  A,  Veteran  organization. 

MCCLARAXCE,  George,  East  Greenwich:  February 
24th,  1862;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  or 
ganization. 

McDoxouGH,  James,  Olneyville:  December  16th,  1861; 
discharged,  September  25th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 
McKAY,  James,  as  above. 
NICHOLS,  Richard,  as  above. 

NORTHUP,  William    H.,   Warwick:    June   6th,  1861; 
discharged,  March  24th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 
O'BRIEX,  James,  uncertain:   October  30th,  1862;  de 
serted,  October  1st,  1863. 

PIERCE,  Anthony  B.,  Scituate:  August  1st,  1861; 
mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

PIERCE,  Stephen  W.,  Scituate: "  August  1st,  1861; 
mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 


454  BOLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

POWELL,  Francis,  Johnston:  August  1st,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  August  1st,  18G4. 

RANDALL,  Henry,  Providence:  April  7th,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  C,  First  Light  Artillery,  December  1 1th, 
1863;  mustered  out. 

READ,  John,  Coventry:  June  6th,  1861;  discharged, 
April  26th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

RICE,  Joel,  as  above. 

ROBERTS,  Henry  H.,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  September  26th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

SEAKLE,  Nathan  B.,  Scituate:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  July  8th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

SHELDON,  George  H.,  Scituate:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  July  3rd,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

SHELDON,  Henry  E.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
A,  Veteran  organization. 

SISSON,  Nathan  A.,  as  above. 

SPENCER,  John,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  died,  June 
28th,  1862,  at  New  York. 

SPRAGUE,  George,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  deserted, 
December  12th,  1861. 

SULLY,  Abraham,  Providence:  September  13th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

SWEET,  John  E.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

SWEET,  William  E.,  Coventry:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  February  23rd,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

TANNER,  Edwin,  as  above. 

TAYLOR,  Abraham,  Smithfield:  June  5th,  1861;  at 
date  of  muster  out,  sick  in  hospital. 

TOURJEE,  Alonzo,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  died, 
May  8th,  1864,  near  Spottsylvania,  Virginia. 

TRIMMER,  William  II.,  Windham,  Connecticut:   Xo- 


COMPANY    B.  455 

vember  13th,  1861;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

TTCKER,  George  W.  Coventry:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WARNER,  William  H.,  AVarwick:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861; 
discharged,  September  23rd,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

WELLS,  John,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  discharged, 
April  2nd,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

WHEELER,  Darius  A.,  Rehoboth,  Massachusetts:  Feb 
ruary  21st,  1862;  discharged,  October  1st,  1862,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate. 

WHELAN,  Peter,  as  above. 

WHIPPLE,  Nathaniel  B.,  Warwick:  June  28th,  1861; 
discharged,  September  26th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

WHITE, William,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861:  uncertain. 

WILBUR,  Frank  G.,  Warwick:  June  26th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WILSON,  Lewis  B.,  as  above. 

WILSON,  Elliot  E.,  Warwick:  June  26th,  1861;  reen- 
listed,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  A, 
Veteran  organization. 

WOOD,  James  B.,  Maine:  October  10th,  1862;  deserted, 
July  17th,  1863. 


COMPANY    B. 

Captains:    JOHN  WRIGHT  and  HENRY  H.  YOUNG. 

First  Lieutenants:  JAMES  ABORN,  HENRY  H.  YOUNG, 
JOHN  M.  DUFFY,  MOSES  W.  COLLINS,  CHARLES  H. 
O'CONNOR  and  CHARLES  A.  WALDRON. 


456  ROLL   OF  THE    REGIMENT. 

Second  Lieutenants:  HEXRY  II.  YOTXG,  BENJAMIN 
B.  MANCHESTER,  JAMES  H.  TATE  and  SAMUEL  B.  UTS- 
SELL. 

SERGEANTS. 

BENJAMIN  B.  MANCHESTER,  as  above. 

JOSEPH  AY.  KNIGHT,  Providence:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
18G1;  first  sergeant,  November  4th,  1801;  discharged, 
September  23rd,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

SAM  TEL  B.  RUSSELL,  as  above. 

JAMES  C.  NICHOLS,  Providence:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
1861;  first  sergeant,  December  30th,  1862;  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863. 

EDWIN  M.  ROGERS,  Providence:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  December  20th,  1861,  on  surgeon's 
certificate. 

AMORY  A.  PHILLIPS,  Providence:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  sergeant,  October  12th,  1861:  discharged,  August 
35th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CHARLES  S.  CAHOONE,  Scituate:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  sergeant,  November  4th,  1861;  first  sergeant,  May 
Oth,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  AVilderness,  May 
6th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1804. 

FRANK  CARR^Scituate:  Private,  June  6th.  1861:  cor 
poral,  October  4th,  1862;  sergeant,  November  13th,  !SfJ2: 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JONATHAN  B.  HOWARTH,  Olneyville:  Private,  October 
<Jth,  1861;  corporal,  October  4th,  1862;  sergeant,  Novem 
ber  13th,  1862;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  Jan 
uary  15th,  1864. 

ROBERT  YEAW,  Scituate:  Corporal,  June  6th,  1861: 
xT.u-eant,  November  16th,  1862;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

JAMES  II.  BISHOP,  Providence:   Corporal,  June  6tha 


COMPANY    B.  457 

1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  sergeant,  December  30th,  1862;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

LUKE  KELLEY,  Olneyville:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  October  4th,  1862;  sergeant,  January  14th, 
1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  and  arm 
amputated,  May  5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

LAWRENCE  KELLEY,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  November  1st,  1861;  lance-sergeant,  Feb 
ruary  5th,  1862;  sergeant,  May  6th,  1863;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

THOMAS  MCLAREN,  Olneyville:  June  6th,  1861;  ser 
geant;  discharged,  September  10th,  1862. 

NOTE.  The  date  of  Sergeant  Yeaw's  appointment  should  be 
•September  18th,  1863. 


CORPORALS. 

CHARLES  S.  CAHOONE,  ROBERT  YE  AW,  JAMES  H. 
BISHOP  and  AMORY  A.  PHILLIPS,  as  above. 

JOHN  C.  LEAYITT,  Providence:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  wounded  in  front  of  Gettysburg,  July  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps. 

ITHAMAR  H.  WILCOX,  Scituate:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JOHN  H.  BENNETT,  Providence:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  December 
12th,  1863. 

GEORGE  A.  DAYIS,  Providence:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WILLIAM  F.  ALLISON,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  July  16th,  1861;  transferred  to  2nd 
cavalry,  LTnited  States  army. 

LAWRENCE  KELLEY,  as  above. 

39 


458  KOLL    OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

RICHARD  GREENE,  Providence:  Private,  June  Oth, 
18G1;  corporal,  October  12th,  1861;  taken  prisoner  near 
Spottsylvania,  May  15th,  1864;  died  at  Camp  Sumter, 
Andersonville,  Georgia,  August,  1864. 

WILLIAM  GREENE,  Providence:  Private,  June  (ith, 
1861;  corporal,  November  1st,  1861;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864;  died,  May  26th, 
1864. 

EDWARD  LOGAN,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  November  1st,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  again  at  Funkstown, 
July  12th,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  l?th,  1864. 

JOB  TANNER,  Providence:  Private,  August  1st,  1861; 
corporal,  April  1st,  1862;  color-guard,  April  7th,  1864; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

FRANK  CARR,  JONATHAN  B.  HOWARTH  and  LUKE 
KELLEY,  as  above. 

FRANCIS  MCCAUGHEY,  Providence:  Private,  June 
6th,  1861;  corporal,  November  13th,  1862;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

TOBIAS  A.  GOLDSMITH,  Providence:  Private,  August 
3rd,  1862;  corporal,  November  13th,  1862;  mortally 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863. 

WILLARD  W.  YICKERY,  Providence:  Private,  Juno 
6th,  1861;  corporal,  June  24th,  1863;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

DANIEL  F.  MILLER,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  2nd,  1863;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

CHARLES  STEWART,  Providence:  Private,  October  8th, 
1861;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  corporal,  Jan 
uary  14th,  1864;  wrounded  near  Spottsylvania,  May  18th, 
1864;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 


COMPANY    B.  459 

CHARLES  H.  ANGELL,  Scituate:  June  Oth,  18G1;  cor 
poral;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WILLIAM  H.  BULLOCK,  Bristol:  June  Gth,  18G1;  cor 
poral;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to 
Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

Musicians:  WILLIAM  0.  XEAL,  Valley  Falls:  Mu 
sician,  June  6th,  1861;  deserted,  December  10th,  1863. 

MATTHEW  CURRAN, Valley  Falls:  Musician,  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

Wagoner:  THOMAS  BASSETT,  Pawtucket:  Wagoner, 
June  6th,  1861;  deserted,  October  31st,  1863. 


PRIVATES. 

ALLEN,  George  M.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  died, 
September  4th,  1862,  David's  Island,  New  York. 

ALLISON,  William  F.,  as  above. 

ANGELL,  Charles  H.,  as  above. 

ANGELL,  Marshall  W.,  Scituate:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  March  2nd,  1862. 

ANGELL,  Sheldon  X.,  Scituate:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

ARNOLD,  Alfred,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  July  22nd,  1861. 

AYLSWORTH,  Oliver,  Scituate:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BARLOW,  Robert  S.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  May,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

BARRY,  Stephen,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BARTON,  Joseph,  Halifax,  Xova  Scotia:  October  loth, 
1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th, 
1864;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 


460  ROLL  OF  THE   REGIMKXT. 

BERGDOLT,  Charles,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  December 
loth,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May 
Gth,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization^ 

BLIZARD,  William  B.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;; 
deserted,  October  1st,  1862. 

BONNER,  Thomas,  Olneyville:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  May,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

BRADY,  Francis  R.,  Providence:  November  29th,  1862,-. 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

BULLOCK,  William  II.,  as  above. 

BURKE,  John,  Ireland:  August  12th,  1863;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

BURKE,  John,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  in  hos 
pital  at  time  of  muster  out. 

CANATTIGENE,  Daniel,  Switzerland:  July  8th,  1863;. 
deserted,  November  13th,  1863. 

CAPRON,  Charles  A.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;. 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CARNEY,  Patrick  G.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;. 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CARR,  Frank,  as  above. 

CARTER,  Charles, uncertain:  June  6th,  1861;  discharged,. 
October  5th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CASEY,  Charles  W.,  Ireland:  July  8th,  1863;  in  hos 
pital,  August,  1864. 

CASSIDAY,  Thomas,  Providence:  December  20th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
reenlisted,  March  20th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  A, 
Veteran  organization. 

CLARK,  Michael,  New  London,  Connecticut:  Decem 
ber  3rd,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,. 
May  3rd,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran 
organization. 


COMPANY   B.  4G1 

COOPER,  Ezekiel,  Maryland:  July  10th,  1863;  deserted, 
November  27th,  1863. 

Cox,  Hugh,  Ireland:  July  9th,  1863;  deserted,  August 
31st,  1863. 

DAVIS,  Henry  M.,  Scituate:  November  4th,  1862; 
died  in  hospital,  April  5th,  1863. 

DEITZ,  George.  Germany:  July  8th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

DENNISON,  Charles  W.,  Canada  East:  July  10th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

DONAHOE,  Michael,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
discharged,  January  14th,  1864,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

DOYLE,  James.  Ireland:  July  8th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

EVANS,  James,  Providence:  December  20th,  1861; 
discharged,  August  28th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

EARRELL,  Martin,  Bangor,  Maine:  January  20th,  1863; 
deserted,  September  23rd,  1863. 

FOSTER,  Charles  E.,  Providence:  December  2nd,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

EROWNSALING,  Samuel,  Prussia:  July  8th,  1863;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

GALVIN,  Martin,  Portsmouth:  September  22nd,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

GALVIN,  Michael,  Providence:  November  9th,  1861; 
in  hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 

GATES,  Aaron  W.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GEE,  Albert  H.,  Scituate:  June  6th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GOFF,  John,  Phenix:  June  6th,  1861;  transferred  to 
39*  • 


462  ROLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

Battery  C,  First  Light  Artillery,  December  10th,  1863; 
mustered  out,  June  llth,  1864. 

GOLDSMITH,  John  T.,  Providence:  November  4th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

GOLDSMITH,  Tobias  A.,  as  above. 

GREENE,  Richard,  as  above. 

(iKKENE,  William,  as  above. 

GRINNELL,  William  H.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;: 
discharged,  December  6th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

HALL,  William  F.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HAMER,  William,  Providence:  October  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  August  28th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

HARRIS,  Jeremiah,  uncertain:  June  28th,  1861;  de 
serted,  July  28th,  1861;  in  United  States  navy. 

HARRIS,  Oren  W.,  Scituate:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  December  6th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

HART,  John,  Ireland:  October  16th,  1862;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December  13th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

HAWES,  Edward,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  December  20th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

HIGGINS,  Richard,  Providence:  January  27th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  I,  March  1st,  1862. 

Ho  AS,  George  W.,  uncertain:   November  14th,  1862. 

HOPKINS,  James  L.,  Providence:  October  8th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Com] (any 
A,  Veteran  organization. 

HOWARTH,  Jonathan  B.,  as  above. 

HOYLE,  Daniel,  Germany:  October  25th,  1862;  de 
serted,  July  1st,  1863. 

HUNTER,  Albert  B.,  Providence:  October  6th,  1861  > 
died,  August  9th,  1862,  at  Harrison's  Landing,  Virginia. 


COMPANY    B.  463 

JOSLIN,  Marcus  M.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
A.  Veteran  organization. 

KELLEY,  Lawrence,  as  above. 

KELLEY,  Luke,  as  above. 

KIELEY,  James,  Ireland:  July  8th,  1863;  deserted, 
October  19th,  1863. 

LEWIS,  Benjamin,  uncertain:  December  2nd,  1861; 
discharged,  March  8th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

LITTLEFIELD,  William  D.,  Scituate:  June  6th,  1861; 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863. 

LOGAN,  Edward,  as  above. 

LOWD,  Matthew  J.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
A,  Veteran  organization. 

MEAD,  Henry,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  deserted,. 
December  14th,  1861. 

MEDBURY,  William  H.,  Foster:  June  6th,  1861;  miss 
ing  at  the  battle  of  Malvern  Hill,  July  1st,  1862;  died  in 
Richmond,  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

MILLER,  Daniel  F.,  as  above. 

MONAGIIAN,  Michael,  Olneyville:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  July  26th,  1862. 

MORSE,  Frank  D.,  Providence:  September  1st,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

MOTT,  Christian,  Germany:  September  28th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862; 
again  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

MOWRY,  Christopher,  Warwick:  January  21st,  1862; 
discharged. 

MUIR,  David,  Providence,  June  6th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 


464  ROLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

MULLEX,  James,  Providence:  June  Otli,  1861 ;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  discharged, 
June  13tli,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

McC ALL, Michael,  Providence:  June  (5th,  1861;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  discharged, 
July  13th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

M<  CAUGHEY,  Francis,  as  above. 

McCooLE,  Patrick,  Providence:  December  2()th,  1861; 
missing  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863. 

MCELROY,  James,  Ireland:  June  6th,  1861;  mastered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

McGixx,  Charles,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

McClKATir,  George,  Providence:  October  28th,  1862; 
deserted,  February  llth,  1863. 

McGuiRE,  Peter,  Providence,  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  April  1st,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

McKANNA,  Francis,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  December  3 1st,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

McLAREX,  Thomas,  as  above. 

McMANUS,  Felix,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

O'NEAL,  Edward,  Central  Falls:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862; 
discharged,  December  20th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

O'RouRKE,  Patrick,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

PRATT,  Augustus,  Seekonk,  Massachusetts:  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

REYNOLDS,  Thomas  P.,  Scituate:  June  6th,  1861; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  December  10th,  1863. 

RILEY,  Peter,  Arkwright:  December  18th,  1861;  reen- 
listed,  December  26th,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 


COMPANY   B.  4G5 

the  Wilderness,  May  Oth,  1864;  in  hospital,  April  1st,  18G5. 

SAKLE,  Zephaniah  A.,  Scituate:  August  1st,  1861; 
mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

SriiROENDT,  Basil,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  December 
Oth,  1862;  uncertain. 

SHIPPEE,  David  G.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861; 
tlix-harged,  October  27th,- 1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

SHOOPE,  George,  uncertain:  November  14th,  1862; 
uncertain. 

SMITH,  Franklin,  Providence:  June '6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  October  5th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

SPRAGUE,  Albert  A.,  Providence:  August  6th,  1861; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  September  1st,  1863. 

STEWART,  Charles,  as  above. 

STEWART,  Martin,  Providence:  January  1st,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

SULLIVAN,  Michael  0.,  Scituate:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  July  5th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

SUMMERVILLE,  James,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  8th,  1863. 

SWEENEY,  John  J.,  uncertain:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  April  1st,  1862. 

TANNER,  Job,  as  above. 

VICKERY,  Willard  W.,  as  above. 

WADE,  Barton  J.,  Scituate:  August  1st,  1861;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

WADE,  George  D.,  Scituate:  November  14th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Battery  C,  First  Light  Artillery,  December 
10th,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  24th,  1865. 

AVEBB,  John,  Providence:  August  14th,  1862;  uncer 
tain. 


466  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

WIESLING,  Henry,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  sick 
in  hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 

Y  !•: A \v,  Isaac  II.-,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861 ;  deserted, 
December  llth,  1862. 


COMPANY    C. 

Captains:  KELSON  VIALL,  OTIS  P.  G.  CLARKE  and 
THOMAS  FOY. 

First  Lieutenants:  EDWARD  STANLEY,  EDWARD  A. 
RUSSELL,  JAMES  LAWLESS  and  AMOS  M.  BOWEN. 

Second  Lieutenants:  EDWIN  K.  SHERMAN,  JOHN  M. 
DUFFY,  JAMES  LAWLESS,  JAMES  H.  TATE,  CHARLES  J. 
TINKHAM  and  GEORGE  L.  NASON. 

SERGEANTS. 

NICHOLAS  UNDERWOOD,  as  above. 

HARRISON  HYER,  Providence:  Sergeant,  June  5th, 
1861;  first  sergeant,  November  4th,  1861;  mustered  out. 
June  17th,  1864. 

CHARLES  MORGAN,  Providence:  Sergeant,  June  5th, 
1861;  discharged,  August  8th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

JAMES  LAWLESS,  JOHN  M.  DUFFY,  EDMUND  F.  PKK.V- 
TISS,  as  above. 

JOSEPH  B.  CURTIS,  Providence:  Corporal,  June  ~>tlu 
1861;  sergeant,  August  1st,  1861;  discharged,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate,  June  ?th,  1863. 


COMPANY    C.  46' 

RICHMOND  J.  STONE,  Cranston:  Corporal.  Juno  5th, 
1861:  sergeant,  January  1st,  1802;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1804. 

WILLIAM  W.  ANNISS,  Providence:  Corporal,  June 
oth,  1861;  color-sergeant,  July  24th,  1862;  mustered 
out,  Juiie  17th,  1864. 

JOSHUA  H.  GREENE,  Providence:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  1st.  1861;  sergeant,  September 
1st,  1862;  first  sergeant,  July  17th,  1863;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

HENRY  L.  TAFT,  Smithtield:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal,  August  1st,  1861:  sergeant,  December  22nd, 
1862:  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd, 
1863,  and  died,  May  llth,  1863. 

ANDREW  MCLAUGHLIN,  Providence:  Private,  June 
28th,  1861:  corporal,  November  4th,  1861:  sergeant, 
December  22nd,  1862:  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CALEB  B.  KENT,  Providence:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal,  August  1st,  1861:  sergeant,  May  17th,  1863; 
wounded  at  Funkstown.  July  12th,  and  died,  July  25th, 
1863. 

JAMES  MORGAN,  Providence:  Private,  June 5th,  1861; 
corporal,  December  22nd,  1862;  sergeant.  July  17th, 
1863:  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WILLIAM  J.  CROSSLEY,  Providence:  'Private,  June 
<'>th,  1861:  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  released.  May  23rd,  1862; 
corporal,  July  17th,  1863:  sergeant,  July  25th,  1863; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CORPORALS. 

ICHABOD  B.  BURT,  Fall  River,  Massachusetts:  Cor 
poral,  June  5th,  1861;  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at 


4C8  ROLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  18G1;  released,  May, 
1862;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

EDMUND  F.  PRENTISS,  as  above. 

GEORGE  W.  SEAMANS,  Jr.,  Providence:  Corporal,  June 
5th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  January 
17th,  1862. 

JOSEPH  B.  CURTIS,  as  above. 

RICHARD  M.  GRANT,  Providence:  Corporal,  June  5th, 
1861;  killed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th, 
1864. 

WILLIAM  W.  ANNISS,  RICHMOND  J.  STONE,  as  above. 

THOMAS  0.  H.  CARPENTER,  Providence:  Corporal, 
June  5th,  1861;  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

CALEB  B.  KENT,  JOSHUA  H.  GREENE,  HENRY  L. 
TAFT,  ANDREW  MCLAUGHLIN,  as  above. 

BENNETT  LOGAN,  Providence:  Private,  June  5th,  1 8(>1 : 
corporal,  February  1st,  1862;  deserted,  March  30th,  1862. 

JAMES  MORGAN,  as  above. 

JOHN  BLAIR,  Providence:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal,  December  22nd,  1862;  killed  at  the  battle  of 
the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864. 

EDWIN  D.  KELLOGG,  Providence:  Private,  November 
16th,  1861;  corporal,  December  22nd,  1862;  transferred 
to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

ARCHIBALD  STALKKR,  Providence:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  December  22nd,  1862;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

PERCY  MILLER.  Providence:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal,  December  22nd,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  mustered  out,  Juno 
17th,  1864. 

BENJAMIN  G.  POTTER,  Providence:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  December  22nd,  1862;  wounded  at  the 


COMPANY    C.  460 

battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  transferred  to 
veteran  reserve  corps,  October  12th,  1863. 

GEORGE  T.  REMINGTON,  Smithfield:  Private,  June 
5th,  1861;  corporal,  May  19th,  1863;  discharged,  May 
3rd,  1864;  second  lieutenant,  Third  Rhode  Island,  com 
mission  dating,  April  9th,  1864;  mustered  out,  October 
5th,  1864. 

JOHN  MAHAN,  Providence:  Private,  September  22nd, 
1862;  corporal,  July  17th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
A,  Veteran  organization. 

ZOPHAR  SKINNER,  Valley  Falls:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  July  25th,  1863;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

SILAS  W.  WATSON,  Providence:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  2nd,  1863;  reenlisted,  December 
26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

MICHAEL  COLLINS,  Providence:  Private,  August  28th, 
1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd, 
1863;  corporal,  April  22nd,  1864;  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

Musicians:  RONSOLIER  HURD,  Harmony,  Maine:  Mu 
sician,  June  5th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate,  August  26th,  1862. 

WILLIAM  HOLM  AN,  Abington,  Maine:  Musician,  June 
oth,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

EDWARD  0.  RILEY,  Woonsocket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  musician;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

Wagoner:    GEORGE  HUBBARD,  Attleboro',  Massachu 
setts:   Wagoner,  June  5th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 
40 


470  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

PRIVATES. 

ADAMS,  Daniel  E.,  Attleboro',  Massachusetts:  June 
5th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May 
3rd,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

ALDRICH,  Charles,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

ALDRICH,  Kobert,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  March  15th,  1864. 

ALGER,  Matthew,  Olneyville:  August  1st,,  1861;  died, 
May  14th,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Salem 
Heights,"  May  3rd,  1863. 

ANGELL,  George  W.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
deserted,  January  25th,  1862. 

BARRY,  Stephen,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BEAN,  Charles,  uncertain:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  released,  May  22nd,  1862;  discharged,  September 
23rd,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

BLAIR,  John,  as  above. 

BOOTH,  Oliver  W.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  ree'n- 
listed,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  A, 
Veteran  organization. 

BOOTH,  Thomas,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  September  1st,  1862. 

BOY  DEN,  Lewis,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  December  20th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

BOYLE,  John,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BRENNAN,  John  J.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
missing  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
supposed  to  have  been  mortally  wounded. 

BREYMAN,  William  H.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  October  13th,  1861. 


COMPANY   C.  471 

BROADHURST,  Andrew,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

BROWN,  Charles  H.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  January  19th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

BROWN,  Peter,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  deserted, 
September  29th,  1862. 

CAPRON,  Frederic  L.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

COLE,  Alfred  C.,  Seekonk,  Massachusetts:  June  6th, 
1861;  died,  June  5th,  1864,  at  Cold  Harbor,  Virginia. 

COLLINS,  Michael,  as  above. 

COLLINS,  Michael,  2nd,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  December  29th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CROSSLEY,  Thomas,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  July  1st,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CROSSLEY,  William  J.,  as  above. 

DAMON,  John  F.,  North  Reading,  Massachusetts:  De 
cember  17th,  1861;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

DONNELY,  Hugh  C.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

DONNELY,  John,  Providence:  August  22nd,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

DORAN,  Thomas,  South  Kingstown:  September  22nd, 
1862;  deserted,  July  1st,  1863. 

EAQAN,  Michael,  Providence:  December  7th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

FARRELL,  John,  uncertain:  August  24th,  1862;  died, 
June  5th,  1864,  from  wounds. 

FULLER,  Chauncey,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  April  4th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

FULLER,  Clifford  A.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at,  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861; 


472  ROLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

discharged,  July   28th,  1862,   on   surgeon's   certificate. 

FULLER,  Hiram,  Glocester:  October  2nd,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

GOFF,  Alfred  H.,  Providence:  November  15th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  March  7th,  1864. 

GORDON,  Eben,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  September  28th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

GREENE,  Joshua  H.,  as  above. 

GREENE,  Kobert  H.,  Voluntown,  Connecticut:  June 
5th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GREENHALGH,  Andrew,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
discharged,  July  23rd,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

HARRIS,  Almon  D.,  Centreville:  January  4th,  1862; 
discharged. 

HAZLEHURST,  Edward,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HEADLY,  Andrew,  Providence:  December  9th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

HEINAU,  Frederick,  Germany:  July  8th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  C,  First  Light  Artillery,  November 
15th,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  24th,  1865. 

HEINE,  August,  Germany:   July  9th,  1863;  uncertain. 

HENRY,  Frank,  Providence:  January  3rd,  1862;  dis 
charged,  July  1st,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

HINDS,  William  H.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HOLLAND,  James,  Providence:  January  14th/  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

HOLMAN,  George,  Maine:  July  9th,  1863;  uncer 
tain. 


COMPANY   C.  473 

HORTON,  Harris  H.,  New  York  city:  October  30th, 
1862;  in  hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 

HORTON,  Horace  D.,  Rehoboth,  Massachusetts:  No 
vember  17th,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem 
Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  A, 
Veteran  organization. 

IVANHOFF,  James,  Prussia:  July  9th,  1863;  deserted, 
December  llth,  1863. 

JORDAN,  Charles  H.,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861; 
discharged,  December  7th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

JUDGE,  James,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  sent  to 
hospital  at  Harrison's  Landing,  Virginia,  August  15th, 
1862;  discharged. 

KELLEY,  James,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  deserted, 
May  20th,  1863. 

KELLEY,  Mark,  England:  November  14th,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

KELLEY,  William,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  January  23rd,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

KELLOGG,  Edwin  D.,  as  above. 

KENT,  Caleb  B.,  as  above. 

KING,  Lemuel  B.,  Allendale:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  June  6th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

KNOTT,  James,  Olneyville:  August  1st,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  July  1st,  1863'. 

KRONKE,  John,  Germany:  July  8th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Battery  C,  First  Light  Artillery,  November  15th,  1863; 
to  G,  December  23rd,  1864;  mustered  out,  June  24th,  1865. 

LAMB,  Henry,  Providence:  June  28th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  2nd  United  States  Artillery,  October  24th,  1862. 

LANDY,  Thomas,    Providence:    August  22nd,    1862; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  December  15th,  1863. 
40* 


474  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

LAVIN,  Martin,  Providence:  December  18th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  December  31st,  1863. 

LEWIS,  John,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

LINES,  Nelson,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

LITTLEFIELD,  Arsanius,  Scituate :  September  22nd,  1862 ; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  November  20th,  1863. 

LOGAN,  Bennett,  as  above. 

LOVE,  James,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861;  mustered 
out,  August  1st,  1864. 

LOWTHER,  George,  Warwick:  December  20th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

MACE,  Joseph,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  27th,  1862. 

MAHAN,  John,  as  above. 

MEAGHER,  Michael,  Ireland:  September  6th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

MILLER,  Percy,  as  above.  • 

MORGAN,  James,  as  above. 

MURPHY,  Patrick  J.,  Scituate:  September  22nd,  1862; 
killed,  May  5th,  1864,  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness. 

MURRAY,  Peleg  F.,  Olneyville:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  August  1st,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

McCABE,  James,  Olneyville:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  released;  died,  November  15th,  1863. 

McCRUNE,  Charles,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  May  9th,  1863. 

McKACKNEY,  James  W.,  Hebron,  Massachusetts:  Juno 
5th,  1861;  in  Portsmouth  Grove  Hospital,  September 
1st,  1862;  discharged. 


COMPANY    C.  475 

McKERN,  S.,  uncertain,  time  and  place  of  muster: 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  November  20th,  1863. 

McLANE,  Andrew,  Scituate:  September  22nd,  1862; 
killed,  May  3rd,  1863,  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights. 

MCLAUGHLIN,  Andrew,  as  above. 

McQuADE,  Richard,  Ireland:  September  22nd,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

McQuEEN,  Patrick,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

NEENAN,  John,  Scituate:  September  22nd,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December  13th, 
1862;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

NOON,  Michael,  Bristol:  September  22nd,  1862;  prison, 
er  at  Richmond,  July  24th,  1864;  transferred  to  Com 
pany  A,  Veteran  organization. 

NUTTING,  Olney  E.,  Georgitiville :  June  5th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

PERCIVAL,  George  H.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
wounded  in  front  of  Spottsylvania,  May  10th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

PETERS,  John,  Denmark:  July  9th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

PHENY,  Dennis,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

PICKET  Michael,  Taunton,  Massachusetts:  August  24th, 
1862;  discharged,  June  29th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

POTTER,  Benjamin  G.,  as  above. 

POWERS,  Charles,  Providence:  December  24th,  1861; 
killed,  July  3rd,  1863,  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 

POWERS,  Richard,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  September  30th,  1863. 

REMINGTON,  George  T.,  as  above. 

RILEY,  Edward  0.,  as  above. 


476  KOLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

RILEY,  Sylvester,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Western  gunboat  flotilla,  February  14th,  1862. 

ROACH,  David,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  deserted, 
September  4th,  1863. 

RUSSELL,  James,  Providence:  August  16th,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

SALISBURY,  Christopher,  Providence:  September  6th, 
1862;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

SILA WAY, William,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  December  15th,  1863. 

SIMMONS,  Christopher,  Fall  River,  Massachusetts:  Au 
gust  20th,  1861;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran 
organization. 

SKINNER,  Zophar,  as  above. 

SNOW,  Thomas,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  October  2nd, 
1862;  transferred  to  United  States  navy,  March  7th, 
1864. 

STALKER,  Archibald,  as  above. 

SWEET,  Willard  J.,  [Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  March  24th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

TAFT,  Henry  L.,  as  above. 

TAYLOR,  John  H.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  died, 
April  17th,  1862. 

THOMPSON,  William,  Canada:  July  8th,  1863;  uncer 
tain. 

THORNTON,  William,  JProvidence:  September  6th,  1862; 
uncertain. 

TOURTELLOT,  Ethan  A.,  Providence:  July  28th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

TRAINOR,  John,  Providence:  August  22nd,  1862; 
discharged,  March  7th,  1863. 

TREDWELL,  James,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  United  States  navy,  December  7th,  1861. 


COMPANY   D.  477 

TUCKER,  Daniel  L.,  Attleboro',  Massachusetts:  June 
5th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June 
25th,  1862;  discharged,  December  30th,  1862,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate. 

VANDERNEIDER,  Wilhelm,  Germany:  July  6th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

WALKER,  Samuel,  Cranston:  June  5th,  1861;  deserted,. 
January  25th,  1862. 

WATSON,  Silas  W.,  as  above. 

WHOLLEY, William,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WOODS,  Edward,  Providence:  December  4th,  1861; 
deserted,  September  1st,  1862. 


COMPANY    D. 

Captains :  WILLIAM  H.  P.  STEERE,  EDWARD  H.  SEARS 
and  STEPHEN  H.  BROWN. 

First  Lieutenants:  EDWARD  H.  SEARS,  JAMES  ABORN,. 
WILLIAM  AMES,  HENRY  C.  JENCKES,  ELISHA  H.  RHODES. 
and  CHARLES  J.  TINKHAM. 

Second  Lieutenants:  WILLIAM  AMES,  ADIN  B.  CA- 
PRON,  ELISHA  H.  RHODES  and  CHARLES  J.  TINKHAM. 


SERGEANTS. 

JOHN  B.  LINCOLN,  Providence:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  June  8th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 
LEVI  F.  CARR,  as  above. 


478  ROLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

AUGUSTUS  H.  CUNNINGHAM,  Seekonk,  Massachusetts: 
Sergeant,  June  6th,  1861;  transferred  as  private  to  Com 
pany  H,  September  6th,  1861;  transferred  to  Company 
B,  Veteran  organization. 

SAMUEL  J.  ENGLISH,  as  above. 

JOHN  F.  BOWEN,  Providence:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
18C1;  first  sergeant,  April  1st,  1863;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864.  See  roll  of  Veteran  organization. 

CHARLES  R.  KRUGER,  Providence:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  sergeant,  August  1st,  1861;  first  sergeant, 
January  17th,  1862;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate, 
September  27th,  1862. 

CHARLES  J.  TINKHAM,  as  above. 

Louis  E.  HUBBARD,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  20th,  1861;  sergeant,  January 
17th,  1862;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WILLIAM  C.  WEBB,  Barrington:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  20th,  1861;  sergeant,  November 
13th,  1862;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  killed  in 
action  near  Spottsylvania,  May  8th,  1864. 

SAMUEL  F.  HULL,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  September  23rd,  1861;  sergeant,  Novem 
ber  28th,  1862;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps, 
November  15th,  1863. 

NOAH  A.  PECK,  Barrington:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
lance-corporal,  February  5th,  1862;  lance-sergeant,  No 
vember  13th,  1862;  sergeant,  April  1st,  1863;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  died,  June  9th, 
1863. 

SAMUEL  B.  PURFEE,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th, 
1862;  corporal  and  lance-sergeant,  November  13th,  1862; 
sergeant,  April  1st,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HOLLIS  H.  MARTIN,  Pawtucket:    Private,  June  6th, 


COMPANY    D.  479 

1861;  lance-corporal,  February  5th,  1862;  corporal,  No 
vember  13th,  1862;  sergeant,  July  18th,  1863;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

STEPHEN  A.  BATES,  Bellingham,  Massachusetts:  Pri 
vate,  August  1st,  1861;  corporal,  November  13th,  1862; 
sergeant,  December  16th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
A,  Veteran  organization. 

CORPORALS. 

CHARLES  R.  KRUGER,  as  above. 

EDWARD  R.  FERGUSON,  New  York  city:  Corporal, 
June  6th,  1861;  discharged,  December  llth.  1861;  first 
assistant  engineer,  United  States  navy. 

DAVID  COOK,  Valley  Falls:  Corporal,  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

FREDERIC  W.  SWAIN,  Providence:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June 
25th,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
May  6th,  1864;  died,  May  loth,  1864. 

CHARLES  J.  TINKHAM,  as  above. 

FRANCIS  E.  KELLEY,  Providence:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  deserted,  October  6th,  1862. 

JAMES  G.  CUMMINGS,  Providence:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  May  30th, 
1863. 

ELISHA  H.  RHODES,  Louis  E.  HUBBARD,  WILLIAM 
C.  WEBB,  SAMUEL  F.  HULL,  as  above. 

EZRA  ROUNDS,  Glocester:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  January  17th,  1862;  mustered  out,  June  17th, 
1864. 

NOAH  A.  PECK,  SAMUEL  B.  DURFEE,  HOLLIS  H. 
MARTIN,  STEPHEN  A.  BATES,  as  above. 

HENRY  T.  MASON,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  lance-corporal,  November  13th,  1862;  corporal, 


480  ROLL   OF  THE    REGIMENT. 

November  28th,  1802;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

LINDSAY  ANDERSON,  Providence:  Private,  August 
1st,  1861;  lance-corporal,  November  13th,  1862;  cor 
poral,  April  1st,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Vet 
eran  organization. 

BENJAMIN  BLACKMAN,  Providence:  Private,  Decem 
ber  19th,  1861;  lance-corporal,  November  13th,  1862; 
corporal,  April  1st,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  B, 
Veteran  organization. 

ROBERT  E.  GARDNER,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  April  1st,  1863;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

HIRAM  A.  CARTER,  Pawtucket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  April  1st,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th, 
1864. 

EDSON  F.  SPRING,  Valley  Falls:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  December  16th,  1863;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

THOMAS  PARKER,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  lance-corporal  and  color-guard,  November  17th, 
1863;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to 
Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

HENRY  F.  SPENCER,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

Musicians:  GEORGE  F.  DICKERSON,  Providence:  Mu 
sician,  June  6th,  1861;  discharged,  July  12th,  1861, 
on  surgeon's  certificate. 

JEREMIAH  S.  POTTER,  as  above. 

BERNARD  M.  HALL,  Kingston:  Musician,  August  1st, 
1861;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to 
Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

Wagoner:  CHARLES  A.  MORGAN,  Providence:  Wag 
oner,  June  6th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 


COMPANY    D.  481 


PRIVATES. 

ABORN,  William  W.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1SG1; 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
July  21st,  1861;  released,  May,  1862;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

ALDEN,  Charles,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  November 
20th,  1862;  deserted,  December  20th,  1862. 

ANDERSON,  Lindsay,  as  above. 

ARNOLD,  Edward  W.,  Providence:  October  8th,  1861; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  July  1st,  1863. 

ARNOLD,  Frederic  A.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862; 
discharged,  December  23rd,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

ATWOOD,  George  B.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861 ; 
released,  May,  1862;  lost  overboard  from  transport  Cos 
sack,  May  29th,  1862. 

BABCOCK,  J.  H.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  August  5th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

BABCOCK,  William  M.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  July  29th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

B ARTLETT,  Reuben,  North  Providence:  June  6th,  1861 ; 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

BATES,  Stephen  A.,  as  above. 

BESSE,  Benjamin  W.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
transferred  to  United  States  navy,  February  14th,  1862. 

BESSE,  Lothrop  A.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
July  21st,  1861;  released,  May  22nd,  1862;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

BLACKMAN,  Benjamin,  as  above. 

BRALEY,  Benjamin  T.,  North  Providence:   June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 
41 


482  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

BRAILEY,  Timothy  J.,  Providence:  July  9th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

BRISCOE,  Thomas,  England:  July  8th,  1863;  deserted, 
September  26th,  1863. 

BRONSON,  James  M.,  Xorth  Providence:  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  August  6th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

BROWN",  Francis  J.,  Providence:  November  30th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

BUTTS,  Lucius  J.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  August  5th,  1861. 

CARTER,  Hiram  A.,  as  above. 

CHASE,  Lewis  W.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CORNERS,  Thomas,  Olneyville:  October  1st,  1861; 
discharged,  February  llth,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CRAGIN,  Charles  C.,  Providence:  October  8th,  1863; 
discharged,  December  8th,  1863;  captain,  Fourteenth 
Hhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery  (colored),  commission 
dating  December  5th,  1863. 

CRAWFORD,  Robert  C.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  July  1st,  1863. 

DEANE,  John  E.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  miss 
ing  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  186-4;  sup 
posed  to  have  died. 

DUGAN,  James,  uncertain:  October  8th,  1863;  killed, 
May  12th,  1864,  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania, 

DURFEE,  Samuel  B.,  as  above. 

EDDY,  Samuel  T.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  October  "8th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

FISHER,  Francis,  England:  August  12th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  United  States  navy,  April  18th,  1864. 

FITZPATRICK,   Jumes,    Ireland:    October   13th,   1862; 


COMPANY    D.  483 

wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

FRIERY,  John,  Ireland:  September  14th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

GARDINER,  Nicholas  E.,  Providence:  August  1st, 
1861;  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th, 
1862;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  May  29th, 
1863. 

GARDNER,  Ezekiel  C.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  September  1st,  1863. 

GARDNER,  Robert  E.,  as  above. 

GEAVLIN,  Lawrence  A.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  September  25th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

GILES,  Charles  0.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  September  25th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

GORDON,  George,  Scotland:  August  llth,  1863;  taken 
prisoner;  exchanged;  discharged. 

GRIFFIN,  Charles  B.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861:. 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  July  13th,  1861. 

GRIFFIN,  John,  New  Brunswick:  August  llth,  1863; 
deserted,  September  26th,  1863. 

GUNN,  George  G.,  Providence:  September  1st,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

HALL,  Royal  P.,  Providence:  August  6th,  1862;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

HAMMETT,  Charles  D.,  Jr.,  Jamestown:  November 
19th,  1863;  discharged,  April  llth,  1864;  second  lieu 
tenant,  Third  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  dating  March  18th; 
died,  September  13th,  1864. 

HAYDEN,  Lewis  F.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Battery  A,  First  Light  Artillery,  July  2nd, 
1861;  honorably  discharged,  January  1st,  1863. 


484  ROLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

HENLEY,  Charles  W.,  Providence:  June  Oth,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HENSHAW,  Edwin  B.,  Providence:  October  29th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Battery  G,  First  Light  Artillery,  December 
9th,  1863;  mustered  out,  October  31st,  1864. 

HOWARD,  John,  Canada:  July  10th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

HUBBARD,  Benjamin  T.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
taken  prisoner;  released  and  returned  to  the  Regiment, 
August  7th,  1862;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps, 
December  15th,  1863. 

HUBBARD,  Louis  E.,  as  above. 

HULL,  Samuel  F.,  as  above. 

INGRAHAM,  John  B.,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861; 
mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

JOHNSON,  Cyrus  W.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  March  26th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

JOYCE,  William,  uncertain:  Discharged,  August  10th, 
1802,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

KARAM,  Lewis,  Germany:  July  9th,  1863;  deserted, 
August  27th,  1803. 

KEN  YON,  Joel  B.,  uncertain:  July  19th,  1803;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

KERNER,  Emil  C.,  Providence:  June 6th,  1861 ;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  again  at 
the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December  13th,  1862;  in 
hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 

KIBBY,  Henry  H.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

KNIGHT,  Alonzo  H.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1801; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

LADD,  Henry  B.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  August  5th,  1801,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

LARKE,  Edward,  England:  July  9th,  1803;  transferred 


COMPANY    D.  485 

to  Battery  G,  First  Light  Artillery,  December  9th,  1863. 

LEWIS,  Charles  L.,  Hopkinton:  August  1st,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

MARCEE,  Eduardo,  Italy:  July  9th,  1863;  wounded 
in  front  of  Spottsylvania,  May  10th,  1864;  transferred  to» 
Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

MAEKHAM,  T.  W.  D.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  August  13th,  1862. 

MARTIN,  Hollis  H.,  as  above. 

MARTIN,  Josiah  H.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  April  16th,  1864. 

MASON,  Henry  T.,  as  above. 

MEELEY,  Michael,  Ireland:  July  9th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

MOSELEY,  Albert,  Philadelphia.  Pennsylvania:  October 
7th,  1862;  transferred  to  Company  B, Veteran  organization. 

MOSELEY,  James,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

MOSHER,  Charles  D.  E.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861- 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

McNAMARA,  Joseph,  New  York  city:  July  9th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

NICHOLS,  Charles  S.,  Hopkinton:  August  1st,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

NORTHUP,  George  H.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

PARKER,  Thomas,  as  above. 

PATT,  Jenckes,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  dishon 
orably  discharged,  November  6th,  1861. 

PEABODY,  Nathan  E.,  Valley  Falls:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

PECK,  Noah  A.,  as  above. 
41* 


486  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

PENNO,  Thomas  IL,  Providence:  June  Ctli,  1861;  dis 
charged,  June  5th,  1864,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

PHILLIPS,  George  F.,  Burrillville:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  September  10th,  1862. 

PIERCE,  William  C.,  Olneyville:  August  1st,  1861; 
mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

POTTER,  George  E.,  Smithfield:  July  9th,  1863;  wound 
ed  near  Spottsylvania,  May  10th,  1864;  transferred  to* 
Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

PRESTON,  Edward,  Canada:  July  10th,  1863;  deserted,, 
September  17th,  1863. 

PULLEN,  John  IL,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

KEINHARDT,  Rudolph,  Denmark:  July  8th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

REYNOLDS,  William  E.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
died,  May  llth,  1862,  at  Warwick  Court  House,  Virginia. 

RICHARDSON,  William  A.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

ROUNDS,  Ezra,  as  above. 

SANFORD,  William  H.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  September  10th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

SEAVEY,  Elbridge  G.,  Providence:  December  17th, 
1861;  deserted,  October  6th,  1862. 

SHAW,  Leander  R.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

SHERMAN,  William  A.,  Bristol:  November  16th,  1801; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

SIMMONS,  George  A.,  Dighton,  Massachusetts:  October 
14th,  1862;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

SIMPSON,  Arthur,  Ireland:  September  22nd,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 


COMPANY   D.  487 

SKUCE,  Charles,  Attleboro',  Massachusetts:  June  6th, 
1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

SMITH,  George  II.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  died 
of  wounds  received  in  action,  June  10th,  1864. 

SMITH,  George  Lewis,  Barrington:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  March  16th,  1862;  second  lieutenant,  Third 
Rhode  Island,  March  llth,  1862;  first  lieutenant,  No 
vember  28th,  1862;  captain,  January  15th,  1864;  mus 
tered  out,  October  5th,  1864. 

SMITH,  Marvin,  Smithfield:  August  6th,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

SMITH,  Thorndike  J.,  as  above. 

SPENCER,  Henry  F.,  as  above. 

SPINK,  George  W.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

SPRING,  Edson  F.,  as  above. 

STETSON,  Albert,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

TAYLOR,  Alexander  T.,  Providence:  November  26th, 
1861;  discharged,  February  2nd,  1863,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate. 

TAYLOR,  Joseph  R.,  Westerly:  June  6th,  1861;  in 
hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 

TEIREY,!., uncertain:  November  19th,  1863;  uncertain. 

TIBBITTS,  H.  C.,  uncertain:  November  19th,  1863;  sup 
posed  to  have  died. 

TIFFANY,  John  C.,  Barrington:  October  14th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

TOURTELLOT,  Newton,  Thompson,  Connecticut:  Octo 
ber  7th,  1862;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  April 
10th,  1864. 

TURNER,  Sidney  M.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  December  3rd,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 


488  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

TURNER,  William  A.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

VAUGHAN,  John,  New  York  city:  November  20th, 
1862;  deserted,  December  20th,  1862. 

VICKERY,  Samuel  T.,  Pawtucket:  October  14th,  1861; 
discharged,  March  21st,  1862. 

WADE,  James  A.,  Olneyville:  October  8th,  1861;  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
B,  Veteran  organization. 

WARREN,  Josiah  S.,  Bristol:  November  12th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

WEBB,  William  C.,  as  above. 

WEST,  Albert  R.,  Providence:  January  4th,  1862: 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

WEST,  John  H.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WHIPPLE,  Ethan,  Jr.,  Providence:  September  1st, 
1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May 
5th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

WILCOX,  Caleb,  Providence:  September  1st,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

WILSON,  Joseph,  uncertain:  July  8th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  United  States  navy,  April  10th,  1864. 

YOUNG,  James  A.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  May  3rd,  1862. 


COMPANY    E. 
Captains:    ISAAC  P.  RODMAN,  EDWARD  STANLEY  and 

JOSEPH  MclNTYRE. 

First  Lieutenants:     SAMUEL  B.  M.  READ,  EDWIN  K. 


COMPANY    E.  480 

SH HUMAN".  WILLIAM  G.  TURNER,  ADIN  B.  CAPROX  and 
WILLIAM  J.  BRADFORD. 

Second  Lieutenants:  ISAAC  M.  CHURCH,  THOMAS  H. 
CARR,  GEORGE  CLEXDENXIX,  Jr.,  CHARLES  A.  WAL- 
DROX  and  AAROX  W.  CLARKE. 


SERGEANTS. 

JAMES  A.  WARD,  Providence:  Sergeant,  June  8th, 
1861;  discharged,  March  3rd,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

JOHX  H.  HOLLAXD,  South  Kingstown:  Sergeant,  June 
6th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

NICHOLAS  F.  Dixox,  South  Kingstown:  Sergeant, 
June  6th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

EDWARD  YOST,  South  Kingstown:  Sergeant,  June 
6th,  1861;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

AXTHOXY  Dixox,  South  Kingstown:  Sergeant,  June 
6th,  1861;  discharged,  on  jsurgeon's  certificate,  August 
6th,  1862. 

PATRICK  LYONS,  CHARLES  T.  BROWX,  as  above. 

GEORGE  W.  THOMAS,  Jr.,  North  Kingstown:  Private, 
June  6th,  1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  sergeant, 
March  6th,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights, 
May  3rd,  1863;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps, 
December  1st,  1863. 

HEXRY  C.  Dixox,  as  above. 

THOMAS  F.  HOLLAXD,  South  Kingstown:  Private. 
June  9th,  1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  sergeant, 
November  28th,  1862;  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  released 
and  discharged. 

JAMES  STAXLEY,  Providence:  Private,  September  loth, 


490  ROLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

• 

1862;  sergeant,  November  13th,  1862;  wounded  at  the  bat 
tle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  and  died,  May  22nd,  1863. 

JOHN  H.  FLIER,  Richmond:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  sergeant,  May  31st,  1863; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

PAUL  VISSER,  South  Kingstown:  Private,  July  29th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  sergeant,  May  31st, 
1863;  killed  in  the  battle  of  May  8th,  1864,  near  the 
Wilderness. 

HORACE  T.  VIALL,  East  Providence:  Private,  Novem 
ber  21st,  1861;  corporal,  March  5th,  1862;  sergeant,  June 
13th,  1863;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

WILLIAM  J.  BABCOCK,  South  Kingstown:  Private, 
June  6th,  1861;  corporal,  November  13th,  1862;  sergeant; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
B,  Veteran  organization. 


CORPORALS. 

PATRICK  LYONS,  as  above. 

EDWARD  A.  GAVITT,  South  Kingstown:  Corporal, 
June  6th,  1861;  discharged,  February  3rd,  1863,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate. 

HENRY  C.  DIXON,  as  above. 

JOHN  B.  RODMAN,  South  Kingstown:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  deserted,  July  29th,  1861. 

WILLIAM  E.  SMITH,  South  Kingstown:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  deserted,  November  10th,  1861. 

ABNER  0.  SHEARMAN,  South  Kingstown:  Corporal, 
June  6th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  Feb 
ruary  24th,  1863. 

STEPHEN  HOLLAND,  South  Kingstown:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  killed,  July  21st,  1861,  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run. 


COMPANY    E.  491 

ESEK  B.  SMITH,  South  Kingstown:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Hun,  July  21st,  1861;  died  at  Richmond. 

CHARLES  T.  BROWN,  GEORGE  W.  THOMAS,  Jr.,  THOM 
AS  F.  HOLLAND,  JOHN  B.  FLIER,  PAUL  VISSER,  as  above. 

SAMUEL  SLOCUM,  South  Kingstown:  Private,  June 
6th,  1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

GEORGE  RODMAN,  South  Kingstown:  Private,  June 
6th,  1861;  corporal,  August  3rd,  1861;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  in  hospital  at 
date  of  muster  out. 

HORACE  T.  VIALL,  as  above. 

JAMES  J.  RAYNER,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  November  13th,  1862;  discharged. 

WILLIAM  J.  BABCOCK,  as  above. 

CHARLES  J.  RESSLER,  South  Kingstown:  Private, 
June  6th,  1861;  corporal,  November  28th,  1862;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JAMES  B.  WRIGHT,  Richmond:  Private,  August  1st, 
1861;  corporal,  May  31st,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
B.  Veteran  organization. 

JASON  P.  RATHBUN,  Exeter:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  September  30th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
B,  Veteran  organization. 

JOHN  G.  GRINNELL,  South  Kingstown:  Private,  June 
6th,  1861;  corporal;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization.  • 

Musicians:  PATRICK  SHIELDS,  Johnston:  Musician, 
June  7th,  1861;  deserted,  September  17th,  1861. 

JEREMIAH  HOLLAND,  South  Kingstown:  Musician, 
June  6th,.  1861;  discharged,  November  15th,  1862,  on 
surgeon's  certificate. 

Wagoners:    WILLIAM  M.  HATHAWAY,  South  Kings- 


492  ROLL   OF  THE    REGIMENT. 

town:  Wagoner,  June  6th,  1861;  dishonorably  discharged, 
July  8th,  1861. 

NAPOLEON  B.  WILSON,  South  Kingstown:  Private, 
June  6th,  1861;  wagoner,  August  1st,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 


PRIVATES. 

ADAMS,  Benjamin  B.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  deserted,  July  12th,  1861. 

ALLEN,  John,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BABCOCK,  William  J.,  as  above. 

BARKER,  William  J.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BOWMAN,  Charles,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  August  31st,  1861. 

BRAMAN,  John  G.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  September  16th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate;  died,  February  21st,  1874. 

BRENNAN,  William,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May 
3rd,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BROTHERS,  Edward,  Putnam,  Connecticut:  August 
1st,  1861;  in  hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 

BROWN,  Charles  T.,  as  above. 

BURDICK,  Samuel,  Norwich,  Connecticut:  August 
1st,  1861;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  transferred 
to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

CARPENTER,  Charles  N.,  North  Providence:  June 
12th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CLABBY,  Richard,  North  Kingstown:   June  6th,  1861; 


COMPANY   E.  403 

discharged,  December  30th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

CLARK,  John,  North  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  and  tajcen  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
July  21st,  1861;  released;  mustered  out,  June  17th, 
1864. 

CLARKE,  George  W.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd, 
1863;  discharged,  September  18th,  1863,  on  surgeon's 
certificate. 

CONN,  James  H.,  Providence:  June  7th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  December  30th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

COOK,  Albert  H.,  North  Providence:  November  21st, 
1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  June  18th, 
1862. 

COOK,  Charles  R.,  North  Providence:  January  15th, 
1862;  reenlisted,  January  26th,  1864;  transferred  to 
Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

CORE,  Philip,  Taunton,  Massachusetts:  June  6th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Battery  A,  First  Light  Artillery,  July  13th, 
1861. 

CRAMB,  Lee  L.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  December  6th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

DAGNAN,  John,  Johnston:  October  14th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  January  17th,  1864. 

DAGNAN,  Thomas,  Johnston:  January  22nd,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

DICKENS,  Horatio  N.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  March  27th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate. 

DICKENS,  Ira  L.,  South  Kingstown:   June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  March  7th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 
42 


404  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

DOCK  RAY,  James  P.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  discharged,  November  15th,  1862,  on  surgeon's 
certificate. 

DUFFY,  Edward,  Providence:  November  21st,  1861; 
deserted,  August  31st,  1862: 

FAGAN,  James,  Smithfield:  August  1st,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

FAIGAN,  Frank,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  1861; 
deserted,  December  4th,  1862. 

FLAHERTY,  Thomas,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  February  loth,  1862,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate. 

FLIER,  John  H.,  as  above. 

Fox,  Russell,  Hopkinton:  August  1st,  1861;  deserted, 
November  18th,  1861. 

GALLIGER,  Patrick,  Providence:  November  14th,  1861; 
uncertain. 

GAVITT,  William  J.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GODFREY,  Isaac  W.,  Sciituate:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  July  29th,  1861. 

GOFF,  Joseph  G.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  November  1st,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

GRANT,  George  A.,  Providence:  November  20th,  1861; 
discharged,  January  28th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

GRIBLO,  Joseph,  France:  July  12th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

GRINNELL,  Benjamin  F.,  North  Kingstown:  June 
6th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GRINNELL,  John  G.,  as  above. 

HAMILTON,  Andrew,  Ireland:  July  9th,  1863;  wound- 


COMPANY   E.  495 

ed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania.  May  12th,  1804;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

HEINTMAN,  Wilhelm,  Germany:  July  9th,  1863;  de 
serted,  August  10th,  1803. 

HICKS,  Charles  W.,  Taunton,  Massachusetts:  June 
llth,  1861;  discharged,  August  31st,  1861,  on  surgeon's 
certificate. 

HIELMAN,  Frederic,  Providence:  June  13th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HIGGINS,  James,  Cumberland:  November  25th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

HIGH,  Arthur,  Xorth  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HOLLAND,  Charles  W.,  North  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  August  5th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate. 

HOLLAND,  George  F.,  Xorth  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HOLLAND,  Thomas  F.,  as  above. 

HUNT,  Job  1L,  North  Kingstown:  June  12th,  1861; 
died  at  Hagerstown,  November  4th,  1862. 

JACQUES,  Henry  L.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  July  21st,  1861;  died  at  Richmond. 

JEANNERET,  Numa,  France:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

KENDALL,  Charles  H.,  Providence:  November  20th, 
1861;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

KILBURN,  Frank  P.,  Providence:  November  4th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

LEACH, William,  Providence:  June  15th,  1861;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 


496  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

LOCKWOOD,  Stephen  D.,  Providence:  November  4th, 
1861;  discharged,  March  27th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate. 

MANCHESTER,  James  D.,  Bristol:  November  18th, 
isiil;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to 
Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

MAXFIELD,  George  H.,  Bristol:  November  15th,  1861; 
reunlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  killed,  May  5th,  1864, 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness. 

MAXFIELD,  George  W.,  Bristol:  September  5th,  1862; 
transferred  to  United  States  navy,  March  13th,  1864. 

MAYER,  Carl,  Germany:  July  8th,  1863;  deserted, 
October  21st,  1863. 

MEGRAVEL,  Henri,  France:  July  8th,  1863;  uncertain. 

MURPHY,  Henry,  Ireland:  August  21st,  1862;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

MURPHY,  Patrick  J.,  Johnston:  July  12th,  1861;  de 
serted,  November  17th,  1861. 

McCoNNELL,  John,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Battery  A,  First  Light  Artillery,  June 
20th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

McDoNOUGH,  Patrick,  Johnston :  October  14th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

McLEOD,  Murdock,  uncertain:  Transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  November  15th,  1863. 

McMAHON,  Peter,  Warwick:  August  1st,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

McWiLLiAMS,  William,  Providence:  October  15th, 
1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  3rd, 
1863;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

NEGRAVILLE,  Henri,  France:  July  8th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 


COMPANY    E.  497 

NEWBERT,  Ambrose  A.,  Belfast.  Maine:  October  23rd, 
1862;  deserted,  July  1st,  1863. 

NICHOLS,  Peter  C.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  IM;I : 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

NICHOLS,  William  II.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  killed,  July  21st,  1861,  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run. 

XORTHUP,  John,  Richmond:  June  6th,  1861;  deserted, 
July  2nd,  1861. 

NORTHUP,  William  H.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

OATLEY,  James  T.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

O'NEIL,  John,  Ireland:  July  8th,  1863;  deserted, 
September  6th,  1863. 

PACHYE,  Theodore,  Germany:  July  8th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

PILKIXGTOX,  Joseph,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  deserted,  November  17th,  1861. 

QUINLAN,  Jeremiah,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  reported  as  missing  in  action,  May  8th,  1864. 

RATHBUN,  Jason  P.,  as  above. 

RATHBUN,  Jeremiah  K.,  South  Kingstown:  June  nth, 
1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th. 
1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

RAYXER,  James  J.,  as  above. 

RECORDS,  William  H.,  uncertain:  September  23rd, 
1862;  died,  March  28th,  1863. 

REDDY,  Thomas,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  July  2nd,  1861. 

RESSLER,  Charles  H.,  as  above. 

ROBBINS,  Richard,  Brewster,  Massachusetts:  March 
23rd,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  B, Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

RODMAN,  George,  as  above. 
42* 


498  ROLL  OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

RODMAN,  Isaac  C.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
July  21st,  1861;  died  at  Richmond. 

ROGERS,  Joseph,  Cuba:  July  10th,  1863;  deserted, 
September  18th,  1863. 

ROURKE,  John,  Coventry:  August  1st,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

RUSSELL,  Thomas,  Cranston:  October  28th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

RYAN,  Thomas  A.,  Westerly:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  November  10th,  1861. 

SHERMAN,  James  A.,  Richmond:  June  6th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

SHIPPEE,  Rufus,  Bristol:  October  14th,  1861;  ree'n- 
listed,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  B, 
Veteran  organization. 

SIMMS,  Thomas  N.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

SKELLEY,  Daniel,  Scotland:  September  25th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

SLOCUM,  John  II.,  Richmond:  Julie  6th,  1861;  ree'n- 
listed,  December  26th,  1863;  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864. 

SLOCUM,  Samuel,  as  above. 

SMITH,  John  A.,  Jr.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

SMITH,  Warren,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  1861; 
deserted,  December  4th,  1862. 

STANLEY,  James,  as  above. 

STEADMAN,  Oliver  L.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  June  13th, 
1863. 

THOMAS,  George  W.,  Jr.,  as  above. 

TILLSON,   James   S.,    Providence:     September  22nd, 


COMPANY    E.  499 

1862;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

TOMMAXY,  Peter,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

VIALL,  Horace  T.,  as  above. 

VISSKK.  Paul,  as  above. 

WARD,  John  A.,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861;  de 
serted,  November  13th,  1861. 

\\AKXKR,  James  A.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,. 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1804. 

WABBBN, Wallace F.,  Bristol:  March  7th,  1864;  killed, 
May  5th,  1864,  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness. 

WIIALEY,  John  P.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WHITFORD,  Elisha  J.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to- 
Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

WHITFORD,  James  M.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  reported  missing  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
May  5th,  1864. 

WHITFORD,  John  R.,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th, 
1861;  Discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  26th, 
1862. 

WILLIAMS,  Charles,  Mystic,  Connecticut:  December 
29th,  1862;  deserted,  March  15th,  1863. 

WILSOX,  Francis,  Canada:  July  9th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

WILSOX,  Napoleon  B.,  as  above. 

WRIGHT,  Charles,  South  Kingstown:  June  6th,  1861; 
ivenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  wounded  in  front  of 
Spottsylvania,  May  10th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company 
B,  Veteran  organization. 

WRIGHT,  James  B.,  as  above. 

WYATT,  Charles  A.,  Newport:  August  1st,  1861;  dis 
charged,  August  31st,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 


500  ROLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

COMPANY    F. 

Captains:  LEVI  TOWER,  GEORGE  W.  WEEDEN  and 
WILLIAM  B.  SEARS. 

First  Lieutenants:  WILLIAM  B.  SEARS,  WILLIAM  I. 
ELLIS,  BENJAMIN  B.  MANCHESTER, WILLIAM  G.  TURNER, 
OBED  H.  GIFFORD,  HENRY  K.  SOUTHWICK  and  STEPHEN 
WEST,  Jr. 

Second  Lieutenants:  JOHN  P.  SHAW,  WILLIAM  I. 
ELLIS,  WILLIAM  L.  WHEATON,  HENRY  K.  SOUTHWICK 
and  THORNDIKE  J.  SMITH. 

SERGEANTS. 

REUBEN  H.  GLADDING,  Pawtucket:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
18G1;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  August  7th, 
1861. 

FRANK  JEFFERS,  Pawtucket:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
18C1;  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  July  21st,  1861;  released  and  discharged,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate. 

LAB  AN  T.  ROGERS,  Pawtucket:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
1861;  Avounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  July  21st,  1861;  released;  discharged,  on  surgeon's 
certificate,  July  26th,  1862. 

STEPHEN  WEST,  Jr.,  as  above. 

GEORGE  W.  KIDDER,  Smithfield:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  December  13th,  1862. 

LUCIAN  A.  AVmppLE,  Pawtucket:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  sergeant,  July  22nd,  1861;  discharged,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate,  December  3rd,  1862. 

DAVID  L.  DOUGLASS,  Pawtucket:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  sergeant,  July  22nd,  1861;  discharged,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate,  December  23rd,  1861. 


COMPANY    F.  501 

GEORGE  R.  WOOD,  Pawtucket:  Corporal,  June  6th,. 
1861;  sergeant,  July  22nd,  1861:  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

AARON  W.  CLARKE,  as  above. 

THEODORE  W.  JENCKS,  Pawtucket:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  sergeant,  January  12th,  1862;  first  sergeant, 
January  13th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WILLIAM  G.  REYNOLDS,  Smithfield:  Private,  June 
6th,  1861;  corporal,  July  22nd,  1861;  sergeant,  January 
12th,  1862;  deserted,  September  6th,  1862. 

JOHN  H.  PHILLIPS,  Smithfield:  Private,  June  6th,. 
1861;  corporal,  September  23rd,  1861;  sergeant,  Novem 
ber  1st,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,* 
May  3rd,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

ROBERT  ROBERTSON,  Jr.,  Smithfield:  Private,  June 
6th,  1861;  corporal,  July  22nd,  1861;  sergeant,  Novem 
ber  28th,  1862;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

JOHN  C.  HALL,  Smithfield:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  cor 
poral,  October  llth,  1861;  sergeant,  February  22nd,. 
1863;  died,  March  16th,  1863. 

JOHN  KELLEY,  Smithfield:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  November  1st,  1862;  sergeant,  March  21st, 
1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

DAVID  SMALL,  Pawtucket:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
sergeant,  September  30th,  1863;  reenlisted,  December 
26th,  1863;  transferred  as  first  sergeant  to  Company  B, 
Veteran  organization. 

ROBERT  L.  SALISBURY,  Pawtucket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  November  28th,  1862;  sergeant;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 


502  ROLL.  OF   THE   REGIMENT. 


CORPORALS. 

LUCIAN  A.  WHIPPLE;  DAVID  L.  DOUGLASS,  GEORGE 
R.  WOOD,  as  above. 

PETER  T.  TAYLOR,  Pawtuckct:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  September 
20th,  1861. 

ALBERT  E.  MAKER,  Smithfield:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  color-guard,  January  3rd,  1862;  discharged,  Jan 
uary  21st,  1863. 

DAVID  HAY,  Jr.,  Pawtucket:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  deserted,  January  24th,  1863. 

FRANCIS  T.  ROMAIN,  Pawtucket:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

THEODORE  W.  JENCKS,  AARON  W.  CLARKE,  ROBERT 
ROBERTSON,  Jr.,  WILLIAM  G.  REYNOLDS,  as  above. 

JAMES  H.  BENNETT,  Pawtucket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  July  22nd,  1861;  discharged,  September 
26th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

JOHN  H.  PHILLIPS,  JOHN  C.  HALL,  as  above. 

WILLIAM  H.  FRAZIER,  Smithfield:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  December  29th,  1861;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

THOMAS  O'NEILL,  Smithfield:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  December  29th,  1861;  discharged,  November 
24th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

THOMAS  J.  PATT,  Pawtucket:  Private,  August  1st, 
1861;  corporal,  January  12th,  1862;  discharged,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate,  October  27th,  1862. 

JAMES  CROMLEY,  Smithfield:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  November  1st,  1862;  deserted,  December  12th, 
1862. 

WILLIAM  T.  SHACKLEY,  Pawtucket:  Private,  June 
Oth,  1861;  corporal,  November  1st,  1862;  wounded  at 


COMPANY    F.  503 

the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  discharged, 
June  6th,  1864. 

JOHN  KELLY,  as  above. 

WILLIAM  F.  FOSTER,  Pawtucket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  November  1st,  1862;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  transferred  to 
veteran  reserve  corps,  December  31st,  1863. 

ROBERT  L.  SALISBURY,  as  above. 

GEORGE  A.  PEARCE,  Smithfield:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  December  22nd,  1862;  reenlisted,  Decem 
ber  26th,  1863;  discharged,  April  28th,  1864;  first  lieu 
tenant,  Fourteenth  Rhode  Island  (llth  United  States 
Colored),  April  28th,  1864;  mustered  out,  October  2nd, 
1865;  died,  November  19th,  1870. 

JOTHAM  WATERMAN,  Pawtucket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  February  21st,  1863;  color-guard,  No 
vember  17th,  1863;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

GEORGE  W.  CROWELL,  Pawtucket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  February  22nd,  1863;  reenlisted,  Decem 
ber  26th,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
May  5th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran 
organization. 

ALBERT  R.  TUPPER,  Pawtucket:  .Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  March  21st,  1863;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

DANIEL  A.  HANDY,  Pawtucket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  March  21st,  1863;  reenlisted,  December 
26th,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
May  5th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  or 
ganization. 

JOHN  POSSNETT,  Smithfield:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  September  25th.  1863;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 


504  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

WILLIAM  MONTGOMERY,  Pawtucket:  Private,  June 
6th,  18G1;  lance-corporal,  February  17th,  1862;  dis 
charged,  February  lath,  1864. 

Musicians:  VIRGINIUS  A.  ARNOLD,  Warwick:  Mu 
sician,  June  6th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JOSEPH  H.  ELDRIDGE,  Freetown,  Massachusetts:  Mu 
sician,  June  6th,  1861;  discharged,  August  13th,  1861, 
on  surgeon's  certificate. 

OLNEY  A.  CLARK,  Cumberland:  Musician,  November 
18th,  1861;  discharged,  September  1st,  1862,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate. 

Wagoner:  WILLIAM  DAVIS,  Pawtucket:  Wagoner, 
June  6th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

PRIVATES. 

ALDRICH,  Leander,  uncertain:  Transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps. 

ANDERSON,  J.,  uncertain:  Transferred  to  United 
States  navy,  March  18th,  1864. 

ARNOLD,  William,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  A,  First  Light  Artillery,  July  16th, 
1861;  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  February  16th,  1864. 

ARNOLD,  William  A.,  Jamestown:  July  20th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

AVERY,  Giles  C.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  July  27th,  1863. 

BACON,  Charles  R,,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania:  Octo 
ber  30th,  1862;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  or 
ganization. 

BAKER,  Lewis  W.,  Warwick:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

BARNES,  Joseph  C.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 


COMPANY    F.  505 

July  21st,  1861;  released;  discharged,  July  26th,  1862, 
on  surgeon's  certificate. 

BARNES,  Lewis  X.,  Scituate:  October  18th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December 
13th,  1862;  transferred  to  vteeran  reserve  corps,  Sep 
tember  1st,  1863. 

BARSTOW,  Samuel,  uncertain:  July  9th,  1863;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

BAXTER,  George  A..  Providence:  August  1st,  1861; 
uncertain. 

BECK  WITH,  David  H.,  Rochester,  Massachusetts:  July 
9th,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May 
5th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

BENNETT,  James  H.,  as  above. 

BETHEL,  Frederick  W.,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  May  7th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

BOYCE,  James  E.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  September  26th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

BOYLE,  Francis  E.,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  December  12th,  1862. 

BRENNON,  Thomas,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  August  22nd,  1862. 

BROMBY,  Henry,  Rhode  Island:  August  9th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

BROWN,  James,  Xew  York:  December  13th,  1862; 
deserted,  July  3rd,  1863. 

BROWN,  John, Bristol:  September  30th,  1862;  uncertain. 

BROWN,  John,  uncertain :  Transferred  to  United  States 
navy,  March  18th,  1864. 

BUCKLIN,  Hiram,  Smithfield:  November  24th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  'of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862; 
discharged,  July  29th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

43 


506  ROLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

CALLAIIAN,  James,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  December  30th,  1802. 

CALLIHAN,  Timothy,  Ireland:  October  10th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

CARPENTER,  Daniel  G.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CARPENTER,  Henry  C.,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Eun,  July  21st,  1861; 
discharged,  August  1st,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CASH,  David,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CHACE, William  H.,  Pawtucket:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  G-,  First  Light  Artillery;  mustered  out, 
June  24th,  1865. 

CLARK,  Leonard  A.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  May  21st,  1862. 

CLARKE,  Aaron  "W.,  as  above. 

CLENDENNIN,  George,  Jr.,  as  above. 

COOPER,  Thomas,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  died 
in  hospital,  October  17th,  1862. 

COREY,  Christopher  A.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  4th,  1863. 

COSTELLO,  P.,  uncertain:  Discharged,  September  12th, 
1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CRANDALL,  John  P.,  Smithfield:  July  10th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

CRANSHAW,  Robert,  Hopkinton:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

CROMLEY,  James,  as  above. 

CROMPTON,  Robert,  Providence:  September 22nd,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

CROWELL,  George  W.,  as  above. 

CUNNINGHAM,  John  E.,  uncertain:  October  28th, 
1862;  uncertain. 


COMPANY   F.  507 

CUNNINGHAM, Thomas, uncertain:  October 27th,  1862; 
deserted,  November  27th,  1862. 

DAVIDSON,  Jonathan,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  September  16th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

DEAN,  Simeon,  Smithfield :  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

DEYEREAUX,  James  E.,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Battery  A,  First  Light  Artillery,  July 
16th,  1861;  to  veteran  reserve  corps. 

DONNELLY,  Michael,  Ireland:  July  10th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

DOWD, William,  Rhode  Island:  July  10th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

DRAKE,  John,  Oswego,  Xew  York:  December  12th, 
1862;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

DUFF,  William,  Pawtucket:  August  1st,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

FARRELL,  John,  uncertain:  August  9th,  1863;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  died, 
June  6th,  1864. 

FARRELL, William,  Smithfield:  August  1st,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

FISHER,  Francis  B.,  Cumberland:  July  10th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

FLYNN,  James,  Ireland:  October  30th,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

FOSTER,  William  F.,  as  above. 

FRANKLIN,  Augustus  B.,  Swanzey,  Massachusetts: 
June  6th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate, 
December  2nd,  1862;  died,  December  loth,  1864. 

FRANZ,  Lewis,  uncertain:  Deserted,  September  12th, 
1863. 

FRAZIER,  William  H.,  as  above. 


508  ROLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

FULLER,  Albert,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  discharged, 
September  26th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

FULLER,  George  W.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GALLIGAN,  James,  Providence:  October  30th,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

GARBATE,  John,  Germany:  August  15th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

GIBSON,  John,  uncertain:  October  28th,  1862;  de 
serted,  November  27th,  1862. 

GLOVER,  Andrew,  Greenwich:  August  9th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

GODFREY,  Charles  A.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Com 
pany  B,  Veteran  organization. 

GREENE,  Esbon  A.,  Rhode  Island:  July  8th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

GREENE,  George  N.,  Charlestown:  July  10th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

GREENE,  George  W.,  Glocester:  August  1st,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  I. 

GUILD,  Frederick  C.,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  August  7th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate* 

HALL,  John  C.,  as  above. 

HANDY,  Daniel  A.,  as  above. 

HANG,  Charles,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  deserted, 
July  14th,  1861. 

HART,  John  F.,  Providence:  October  29th,  1861;  de 
serted,  June  29th,  1863. 

HAY,  James  IL,  Pawtucket:  August  1st,  1861;  un 
certain. 

HOPKINS,    Thomas,    Pawtucket:    August   1st,    1861; 


COMPANY   F.  509 

wounded  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December  13th, 
1862;  mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

HORTON,  Nathaniel  Cr.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861; 
deserted,  March  17th,  1862. 

HUGHES,  Benjamin  C.,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  September  26th,  1861. 

HURLBURT,  Charles, Vermont:  July  9th,  1863;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

ING  ALLS,  Xathaniel  M.,  Rehoboth,  Massachusetts: 
March  3rd,  1862;  discharged,  July  9th,  1862,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate. 

JOHNSTONE,  Robert  L.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861; 
reenlisted,  January  26th,  1864;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company 
B,  Veteran  organization. 

JOSLIN,  Charles  E.,  Cumberland:  October  31st,  1861; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  transferred  to  Com 
pany  B,  Veteran  organization. 

JOSLYN,  Edgar  A.,  Cumberland:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  December  4th,  1861. 

KIERNAN,  Michael,  Ireland:  July  9th,  1863;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

KELLY,  John,  as  above.  ^ 

KNIGHT,  Samuel  B.,  Smithfield:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

LITTLEWOOD,  Albert,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  dishonorably,  January  18th,  1865. 

LYONS,  John  W.,  Providence:  October  12th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

MANNING,  John  W.,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
43* 


510  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

MARTIN,  Joseph,  Pawtucket:  August  1st,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

MAYER,  Henry,  Prussia:  August  8th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  United  States  navy,  March  18th,  1864. 

MAYXARD,  H.  A.,  uncertain:  Transferred  to  United 
States  navy,  March  18th,  1864. 

MONTGOMERY,  William,  as  above. 

McALPix,  Thomas,  Smithfield:  October  12th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

MCCAFFREY,  John,  Providence:  October  12th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

McCAXX,  James,  Ireland:  August  llth,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  United  States  navy,  March  18th,  1864. 

McKAY,  Thomas,  1st,  Providence:  October  12th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

McKAY,  Thomas,  2nd,  Ireland:  July  10th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

McKiXLEY, William,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  February  28th,  1863. 

McMANUS,  James,  Cumberland:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  May  5th,  1862. 

NEWELL,  James,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  deserted, 
August  8th,  1862. 

NEWELL,  John,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  released;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

NEWMAN,  Samuel,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  September  1st,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

NORTHUP,  Perry  A.,  Greenwich:  October  12th,  1861; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Com 
pany  B,  Veteran  organization. 

OATLEY,  Thomas  W.,  Providence:   August  1st,  1861; 


COMPANY   F.  511 

reenlisted,  December  26th,  1803;  transferred  to  Company 
B,  Veteran  organization. 

O'NEILL,  John  F.,  Smithfield:  December  2?th,  1861; 
deserted,  June  23rd,  1862. 

O'NEILL,  Thomas,  as  above. 

OSGOOD,  Francis  A.,  Lynn,  Massachusetts:  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  October  16th,  1862. 

PATT,  Daniel  B.,  Pawtucket:  August  1st,  1861;  un 
certain. 

PATT,  Thomas  J.,  as  above. 

PEARCE,  George  A.,  as  above. 

PHILLIPS,  John  H.,  as  above. 

POSSNETT,  John,  as  above. 

POTTER,  Thomas  K.,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  12th,  1863. 

QUINN,  Patrick,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate.  December  29th,  1862. 

REYNOLDS,  William  G.,  as  above. 

RICHARDSON,  George  H.,  Fairhaven,  Connecticut:  July 
9th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

RILEY,  Michael,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

ROBERTSON,  Robert,  Jr.,  as  above. 

ROUNDS,  Elias  C.,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  discharged, 
July  18th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

SALISBURY,  Ferdinand,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  August  7th,  1861. 

SALISBURY,  Robert  L.,  as  above. 

SALISBURY,  Smith,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  February  7th,  1862. 

SCHMIDT, Gustav, Germany:  July  10th,  1863;  uncertain. 

SHACKLEY,  William  T.,  as  above. 


512  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

SHEA,  John,  Canada:  July  9th,  1863;  transferred  to 
Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

SILVA,  Andrew,  France:  July  10th,  1863;  deserted, 
August  29th,  1863. 

SIMMONS,  Israel  D.,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861;  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
B,  Veteran  organization. 

SMALL,  David,  as  above. 

SMITH,  Albert  F.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861;  taken 
prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861; 
released;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

SMITH,  Charles  0.,  Norton,  Massachusetts:  October 
16th,  1861;  uncertain. 

SORGENFIN,  Heinrich,  Austria:  July  10th,  1863;  de 
serted,  August  29th,  1863. 

STAINBURN,  George,  England:  September  23rd,  1862; 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Salem 
Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  released;  transferred  to  Com 
pany  B,  Veteran  organization. 

STANGERNU,  Joseph,  Mexico:  July  10th,  1863;  de 
serted,  August  29th,  1863. 

TUPPER,  Albert  R.,  as  above. 

WATERMAN,  Jotham,  as  above. 

WHITMORE, William,  Ohio:  July  10th,  1863;  deserted, 
October  30th,  1863. 

WILCOX,  George  N.,  Pawtucket:  August  1st,  1861; 
discharged,  September  26th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

WILLIAMS,  John,  Ireland:  August  10th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  G,  First  Light  Artillery,  December  9th, 
1863;  to  United  States  navy,  April  18th,  1864. 

WORGER,  William,  Pawtucket:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  February  4th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

YOUNG,  George,  England:  September  23rd,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 


COMPANY    G.  513 

COMPANY    G. 

Captains:  XATHAN  GOFF,  Jr.,  WILLIAM  AMES,  WIL 
LIAM  G.  TURXER  and  JOHN  G.  BEVERIDGE. 

First  Lieutenants:  GEORGE  W.  WEEDEN,  LEWIS  H. 
BOWEX,  WILLIAM  G.  TURNER,  JOHN  G.  BEVERIDGE 
and  OBED  H.  GIFFORD. 

Second  Lieutenants:  LEWIS  H.  BOWEX,  EDWARD  A. 
RUSSELL,  JOSEPH  S.  MANCHESTER,  SAMUEL  J.  ENGLISH, 
JOHN  G.  BEVERIDGE,  OBED  H.  GIFFORD,  HENRY  C. 
Dixox  and  THOMAS  F.  USHER. 

SERGEANTS. 

JOSEPH  S.  MANCHESTER,  THOMAS  F.  USHER,  CHARLES 
A.  WALDRON,  as  above. 

HENRY  F.  SIMMONS,  Bristol:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CHARLES  W.  KNIGHT,  East  Greenwich:  Sergeant, 
June  6th,  1861;  wounded  in  the  siege  of  Richmond; 
discharged,  January  9th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

SIMEON  A.  XEWMAN,  Bristol:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  first  sergeant,  August  12th,  1861;  died,  March 
18th,  1862. 

HENRY  J.  COLE,  Bristol:  Corporal,  June  6th,  1861; 
sergeant,  March  18th,  1862;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Seven 
Pines,  June  25th,  1862. 

GEORGE  T.  EASTERBROOKS,  as  above. 

FRANK  G.  BOURN,  Portsmouth:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  sergeant,  November  1st,  1862;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

JOHN  S.  XEWMAN,  Bristol:  Corporal,  June  6th,  1861; 
sergeant;  first  sergeant,  September  13th,  1863;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 


514  ROLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

MARTIN  McAvoy,  Dartmouth,  Massachusetts:  Private, 
June  Gtb,  18G1;  corporal,  March  18th,  1862;  sergeant, 
September  1st,  18G3;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

FRANK  KEATING,  Bristol:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal;  sergeant,  September  22nd,  1863;  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  reported 
missing  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864. 

FRANK  S.  HALLIDAY,  Providence:  Private,  July  29th, 
1861;  corporal,  April  21st,  1863;  sergeant,  Septeinbn- 
22nd,  1863;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

JOHN  LAWRENCE,  Bristol:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  April  1st,  1863;  sergeant,  September  22nd, 
1863;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to 
Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

CORPORALS. 

AMOS  B.  CHASE,  Bristol:  Corporal,  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  July  1st,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

WILLIAM  J.  BRADFORD,  FRANK  G.  BOURN,  as  above. 

ROBERT  SOUTHERGILL,  New  York  city:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  deserted,  December  7th,  1863. 

ROBERT  N.  TURNER,  Warren:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  June  1st,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

HENRY  J.  COLE,  GEORGE  T.  EASTERBROOKS,  as  above. 

CORNELIUS  C.  PIERCE,  Bristol:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  29th,  1861;  discharged,  May 
12th,  1864,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

LYMAN  B.  BOSWORTH,  Bristol:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  November  14th,  1861;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

MARTIN  McAvoY,  JOHN  LAWRENCE,  as  above. 

ROBERT  To  YE,  Bristol:   Private,  June  5th,  1861;  cor- 


COMPANY    G.  515 

poral,  April  21st,  1863;  killed,  May  3rd,  18G3,  at  the 
battle  of  Salem  Heights. 

FUAXK  S.  HALLIDAY,  as  above. 

THOMAS  BREXXAX,  England :  Private,  June  6th,  186 1 ; 
corporal,  April  21st,  1863;  reenlisted,  December  26th, 
1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th. 
1864;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

EDWARD  Lo \VTHER,  Ireland:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded,  May  3rd,  1863,  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights;, 
corporal,  August  2nd,  1863;  wounded,  May  9th,  1864, 
near  Spottsylvania;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

FRAXK  KEATIXG,  as  above. 

CIIARLKS  A.  HAILE.  Warren:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
c-orporal,  September  30th,  1863;  mortally  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864. 

HEXRY  F.  BUSH,  Bristol:  Private,  June  6th,  1861;  cor 
poral,  September  30th,  1863;  wounded,  May  5th,  1864,  at 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GEORGE  G.  COLE,  Bristol:  Private,  June  5th,  1861;  cor 
poral,  September  30th,  1863;  wounded,  May  5th,  1864,  at 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WILLIAM  F.  DUXBAR,  Bristol:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal:  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CHARLES  H.  JORDAX,  Providence:  Private,  July  7th. 
1863;  corporal;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  or 
ganization. 

Musicians:  JOHX  GREEXE,  Paw  tucket:  Musician. 
June  6th,  1861;  deserted,  March  25th,  1862. 

MICHAEL  McAvov,  Providence:  Musician,  November 
16th,  1861;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  C.  Veteran  organization. 

EAXDALL  H.  DAVOL,  Scituate:  Musician,  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  24th, 
1862. 


516  ROLL    OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

Wagoners:  WILLIAM  M.  COIT,  Bristol:  Wagoner, 
June  Gth,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 
April  loth,  1862. 

BENJAMIN  B.  MORRIS,  Bristol:  Wagoner,  June  Gth, 
1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  December 
12th,  1862. 

PRIVATES. 

ASSELEN,  Hermann,  Germany:  August  12th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

BAUL,  John,  Ireland:  July  9th,  1863;  deserted,  No 
vember  26th,  1863. 

BEECH,  Henry  H.,  New  York  city:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  February  25th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

BLACKMAR,  Wheaton  0.,  Warwick:  August  1st,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

BOSWORTH,  Lyman  B.,  as  above. 

BOWEN,  Amasa  W.,  Boston,  Massachusetts;  June  fJtli. 
1862;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BOWERS,  John  0.,  Connecticut:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  September  4th,  1861. 

BRAYTON,  Gardner  J.,  Portsmouth:  June  6th,  1861; 
died,  August  19th,  1861. 

BRENNAN,  Thomas,  as  above. 

BULLOCK,  Charles  H.,  Bristol:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  January  8th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

BURNS,  William  B.,  Bristol:  June  6th,  1861:  trans 
ferred  to  the  Western  gunboat  flotilla,  February  18th, 
1862;  died  at  Philadelphia, 

BUSH,  George  A.,  Bristol:  June  6th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BUSH,  Henry  F.,  as  above. 

CHAFFEE,  Samuel,  Bristol:  October  24th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organ i /at ion. 


COMPANY   O.  517 

COBB,  Isaac  X.,  Bristol:  June  6th,  1861;  wounded  and 
Tiken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Rim,  July  21st,  1861; 
died  at  Richmond,  August  12th,  1861. 

COLE,  George  G.,  as  above. 

COLE,  Ithamar  0..  Foster:  April  1st,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

DUDLEY,  Edwin  H.,  Massachusetts:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

DUFFY,  James,  Jr.,  England:  June  6th,  1861;  dis- 
'cliargecl,  June  18th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

DUNBAR,  George  S.,  Bristol:  June  6th,  1861;  dis- 
charged,  October  24th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

DUNBAR,  William  F.,  as  above. 

EASTERBROOKS,  George  T.,  as  above. 

EASTERBROOKS,  Moses  S.,  Bristol:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

EASTERBROOKS,  Philip,  Bristol:  October  23rd,  1861; 
•discharged,  June  18th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

EHLERT,  Ludwig,  Germany:  July  10th,  1863;  killed 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864. 

FAHEY,  John,  Canada:  January  12th,  1863;  deserted, 
September  17th,  1863. 

FISKE,  Thomas  W.  D..  Scituate:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  July  1st,  1863. 

FREDERICK,  Peter,  Holland:  August  8th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

GREEN,  Giles  E., Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  discharged, 
February  19th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

GREEN,  Giles  E.,  Jr.,  Valley  Falls:  June  6th,  1861; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
C.  Veteran  organization. 

HAILE,  Charles  A.,  as  above. 

HALLIDAY,  Frank  S.,  as  above. 

44 


518  ROLL  OF  Tin:  RKI.IMENT. 

HANDY,  William  11.,  Bristol:  August  1st,  1861;  un 
certain. 

HANGER,  George  II.,  Warren:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  January  10th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

HARPER,  Thomas,  Nova  Scotia:  August  20th,  1863; 
t  rausf erred  to  Battery  G,  First  Light  Artillery,  December 
Dth,  1863;  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  October  9th, 
lsr.4;  released;  mustered  out,  June  24th,  1865. 

HATCH,  Solomon  D.,  Bristol:  August  20th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

HICKS,  John,  uncertain:  July  Oth,  1863;  deserted, 
September  16th,  1863. 

HILL,  Leander  M.,  Fall  River,  Massachusetts:  March 
29th,  1862;  discharged,  September  27th,  1862,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate. 

HINDS,  Albert,  North  Kingstown:  March  5th,  1862; 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864. 

INGRAHAM,  George  S.,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  wound 
ed  in  front  of  Spottsylvania,  May  10th,  1864;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864.^ 

JOLLS,  John  W.,  Warren:  June  oth,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JORDAN,  Charles  II.,  as  above. 

KEATING,  Frank,  as  above. 

KEATING,  Robert,  Bristol:  August  1st,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

KENNY,  Alonzo,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

LAKE,  Daniel  G.,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  taken 
prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  re 
leased;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  November 
23rd,  1862. 

LAMBERT,  Thomas,  Attleboro',  Massachusetts:  June 
5th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 


'  (»\!!'AXY    G.  519 

21st,  1861;   disc-hariri-d,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March 
•Mill,  1862, 

LABCARICHE,  Jean,  France:  August  20th,  1863;  Iran  — 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

LAROCHE,  Jean,  France:  August  20th,  1863;  deserted, 
September  16th,  1863. 

LAWRENCE,  John,  as  above. 

LEWIS,  James  E.,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  killed  at 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864. 

LOCKE,  Charles  X.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

LOWTHER,  Edward,  as  above. 

LUDDO,  Thomas,  Spain:  August  13th,  1863:  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

LUTHER,  Jerry,  Jr.,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  killed 
in  front  of  Yorktown,  April  18th,  1862, 

LUTHER,  William  A.,  Warren:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

MARLAND,  Henry,  England:  June  6th,  1861:  killed 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864. 

MARTIN,  Frank  A.,  Warren:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted. 

MARTIN,  William  M.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  Xovember  3rd,  1862. 

MEBRI]STY,  Thomas,  Sweden:  August  llth,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  United  States  navy,  March  13th,  1864. 

MORRIS,  Benjamin  B.,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  December  12th,  1862. 

MUNROE,  Allen  M.,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  reen-" 
listed,  December  26th,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company 
C,  Veteran  organization. 

MUNROE,  Sylvester,  Bristol :  June  5th,  1861;  deserted, 
September  18th,  1862, 


520  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

MUNROE,  William  F.,  Bristol:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  July  21st,  1863. 

MUNROE,  William  H.,  Bristol:  January  24th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

MUTTON,  George  T.,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  discharged,, 
on  surgeon's  certificate,  May  12th,  1862. 

Me  ADAMS,  Joseph,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  December 
16th,  1861;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

McARTHUR,  Thomas,  England:  August  llth,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

McAvOY,  Martin,  as  above. 

McGEE,  James,  Ireland:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded  at, 
the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  again  at  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  leg  amputated; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

McGREELEY,  Peter,  Providence:  December  15th,  1861; 
discharged,  January  15th,  1862,  by  request  of  Governor 
Sprague. 

McGREC4OR,  John,  Scotland:  August  1st,  1861;  dis 
charged,  October  13th,  1862. 

McGuiNNESS,  John,  Cranston:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  August  7th,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

McKAY,  Samuel,  Ireland:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

McMAHON,  J.  B.,  uncertain:  August  llth,  1863;  de 
serted,  September  16th,  1863. 

O'CONNOR,  John  G.,  Ireland:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  January  8th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

OSSLER,  Hermann,  Germany:  August  12th,  1863;  un 
certain. 

PATTEN,  John,  Providence:   June  5th,  1861;  wounded 


COMPANY    G.  521 

at  the  battle  of  Salon)  Heights,  May  3rd.  1S03;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

PEABODY,  Alfred,  Bristol:  October  21st,  18U1:  dis 
charged. 

PEABODY,  Frederic,  Bristol:  October  22nd,  18G1;  dis 
charged. 

PECK,  George  H.,  Bristol:  June  oth,  1861;  discharged. 
on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  24th,  1862. 

PERKINS,  John  V.,  Xan tucket,  Massachusetts:  March 
15th,  1862;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  January 
16th,  1863. 

PIERCE,  Cornelius  C.,  as  above. 

PIERCE,  George  S.,  Warren:  June  5th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  A,  First  Light  Artillery,  June  20th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

PIERCE,  Henry  C.,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  discharged, 
August  27th,  1862, 

PIERCE,  William  II.,  AVarren:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  December  22nd,  186K 

QUINN,  George  S.,  Taunton,  Massachusetts:  Januarv 
25th,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June 
25th,  1862;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps.  March 
2nd,  1864. 

REYNOLDS,  Luther,  Sheffield,  Massachusetts:  Juno 
5th,  1861;  deserted,  November  10th,  1861. 

RICE,  John,  Xew  London,  Connecticut:  December 
26th,  1862;  killed,  May  12th,  1864,  at  the  battle  of 
Spottsylvania. 

SIDLINGER,  Simon  M.,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  A,  First  Light  Artillery,  July  10th, 
1861;  wounded  and  missing,  June  30th,  1862. 

SIMMONS,  Edward  A.,  uncertain:   August  10th,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
missing;  supposed  to  have  died. 
44* 


522  ROLL    OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

SIMONS,  Thomas  E.,  Foster:  August  1st,  1861:  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  trans- 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  March,  1864. 

SPARKS,  Joseph  B.,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

TENNANT,  Charles  R., Warwick:  February  26th,  1862; 
mustered  out,  February  27th,  1865. 

THOMAS,  George,  Coventry:  February  llth,  1862; 
uncertain. 

THOMPSON,  John  A.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  l?th,  1864. 

THURBER,  D.  W.,  uncertain. 

TOYE,  Cornelius,  Bristol:  June  5th,  1861;  deserted,. 
November,  1863. 

TOYE,  Robert,  as  above. 

TRAYNOR,  James,  England:  June 5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

VOLNER,  Constantine,  Germany:  July  10th,  1863;  de 
serted,  August  27th,  1863. 

WAGNER,  Wilhelm,  Germany:  July  10th,  1863;  de 
serted,  August  21st,  1863. 

WARD,  Nicholas,  Spain:  July  8th,  1863;  transferred 
to  United  States  navy,  March  13th,  1864. 

WEBBER,  Frank,  Canada:  July  10th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

WEST,  Leonard  P.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  wounded  in  front  of 
Spottsylvania,  May  10th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company 
C,  Veteran  organization. 

WHEATON,  William  L.,  as  above. 

WILKINS,  Charles,  Germany:  July  14th,  1863;  de 
serted,  April  10th,  1864. 

WILKINSON,   James   F.,    England:    June  5th,  1861; 


COMPANY   H.  523 

taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861; 
released,  May,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilder 
ness,  May  5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WILSON,  John  G.,  Bristol:  January  24th,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  July,  1863. 

WILSON,  Lewis,  Germany:  July  10th,  1863;  deserted, 
August  25th,  1863. 


COMPANY    H. 

Captains:  CHARLES  W.  GREENE,  BERIAH  S.  BROAVN 
and  SAMUEL  J.  ENGLISH. 

First  Lieutenants:  BERIAH  S.  BROWN,  ISAAC  M. 
CHURCH,  THOMAS  H.  CARR,  DAVID  A.  HOLMES  and 
CHARLES  T.  BROWN. 

Second  Lieutenants :  THOMAS  Fo Y,  NICHOLAS  UNDER 
WOOD,  JOHN  G.  BEVERIDGE,  CHARLES  T.  BROWN  and 
HENRY  C.  DIXON. 

SERGEANTS. 

RUSSELL  C.  GARDNER,  East  Greenwich:  Sergeant, 
June  6th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  ITth,  1864. 

JOHN  G.  BEVERIDGE,  as  above. 

GEORGE  H.  GROVES,  East  Greenwich:  Sergeant,  June 
6th,  1861;  first  sergeant,  January  17th,  1862;  discharged, 
October  7th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

JOHN  F.  EDDY,  East  Greenwich:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GEORGE  L.  NASON,  as  above. 

JAMES  F.  WEAVER,  Warwick:  Sergeant,  June  6th, 
1861;  discharged,  July  3rd,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CHARLES   E.  BAGLEY,  South   Kingstown:   Corporal, 


524  ROLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

June  6th,  1801;  sergeant,  July  3rd,  1861;  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

THOMAS  BYRNES,  East  Greenwich:  Corporal,  June 
Oth,  1861;  sergeant,  August  1st,  1861;  transferred  to 
Battery  G,  First  Light  Artillery,  December  9th,  1863; 
mustered  out,  June  6th,  1864. 

WILLIAM  W.  BROWN,  East  Greenwich :  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  sergeant,  January  17th,  1862;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

CYRIL  H.  NICHOLAS,  Coventry:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  sergeant,  October  7th, 
1862;  first  sergeant,  July  18th,  1863;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

THOMAS  T.  WOODMANCY,  West  Greenwich:  Private, 
June  5th,  1861;  corporal,  January  17th,  1862;  sergeant, 
October  7th,  1862;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BENONI  SWEET,  Warwick:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  July  5th,  1861;  sergeant,  July  18th,  1863;  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
C,  Veteran  organization. 

CORPORALS. 

CHARLES  E.  BAGLEY,  as  above. 

THOMAS  W.  MAY,  East  Greenwich:  Corporal,  June 
Oth,  1861;  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 
21st,  1861;  released;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem 
Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve 
corps,  August  24th,  1863. 

FRANCIS  C.  GREENE,  Warwick:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 
21st,  1861;  probably  died  at  Richmond. 

LUTHER  BAKER,  East  Greenwich:  -Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  honorably  discharged,  June  10th,  1861. 

THOMAS  BYRNES,  as  above. 


COMPANY   H.  525 

JAMES  E.  WILCOX,  Coventry:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  transferred  to  Battery  A,  First  Light  Artillery,  July 
21st,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JOHN  GREENE,  Coventry:  Corporal,  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  February  llth,  1862.  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

WILLIAM  W.  BROWN,  as  above. 

ALONZO  BRADFORD,  Warwick:  Corporal,  June  6th,. 
1861;  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 
21st,  1861;  released,  May  22nd,  1862;  discharged,  on 
surgeon's  certificate. 

BENONI  SWEET,  as  above. 

HENRY  FREYBERG,  East  Greenwich:  Private,  June 
5th,  1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  transferred  to 
veteran  reserve  corps,  September  1st,  1863. 

JAMES  B.  HATHAWAY,  Cranston:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

CYRIL  H.  NICHOLAS,  as  above. 

SYLVESTER  C.  BAKER,  East  Greenwich:  Private,  June 
6th,  1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  mustered  out,. 
June  17th,  1864. 

JOHN  G.  GARDINER,  East  Greenwich:  Private,  June 
6th,  1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  transferred  to- 
veteran  reserve  corps,  September  1st,  1863. 

BENJAMIN  W.  SHERMAN,  Coventry:  Private,  June 
5th,  1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  killed,  May  6th, 
1864,  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness. 

FREDERIC  W.  BLISS,  Baltic,  Connecticut:  Private^ 
June  5th,  1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

THOMAS  T.  WOODMANCY,  as  above. 

ROBERT  BINNS,  Warwick:    Private,  June  5th,  1861; 


520  KOLL    OF   TI1K    KK<iIMEN'T. 

corporal,  April  1st,  1862;  ivi-nlisted,  January  20th,  1864; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.- May  6th,  1804; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

DANIEL  W.  NICHOLAS,  Warwick:  Private,  June  Oth, 
1861;  corporal,  October  7th,  1862;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1804. 

JAMES  A.  KING,  Warwick:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  April  1st,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem 
Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  color-guard,  November  l?'th, 
1863;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to- 
Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

JEREMIAH  TOURJEE,  East  Greenwich:  Private,  June 
5th,  1801;  corporal,  July  18th,  1803;  reenlisted,  Decem 
ber  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  or 
ganization. 

CASSANDER  KINGMAN,  Bristol:  Private,  November 
10th,  1861;  corporal,  September  30th,  1863;  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  transferred 
to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

CHARLES  DUKE,  Coventry:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal,  February  23rd,  1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th, 
1864. 

DAVID  R.  STEPHENSON,  East  Greenwich:  Private, 
June  6th,  1861;  corporal,  as  per  adjutant-general's  report; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1804. 

JOSEPH  G.  SKINNER,  Providence:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  as  per  adjutant-general's  report,  but  did 
not  receive  a  warrant;  wounded  at  Funkstown,  July 
12th,  1863;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  January 
25th,  1864. 

Musicians:  WILLIAM  I.  JENCKES, Warwick:  Musician, 
June  6th,  1861;  transferred  to  5th  United  States  Artil 
lery,  February  4th,  1863. 

ELISHA   GREENE,  Warwick:    Musician,    June    19th, 


COMPANY   H.  527 

1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  January  1st, 
1662. 

JOHN  CURRY,  Warwick:  Private,  June  5th,  IS'U; 
musician,  January  17th,  1862;  reenlisted,  December  26th, 
1863;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

Wagoner:  DENNIS  GALLAGHER, Warwick:  Wagoner, 
June  5th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

PRIVATES. 

ANDREW,  John  T.,  Warwick:    June  6th,  1861;   dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  September  30th,  1861. 
ANDREWS,  Asa,  uncertain:   August  25th,  1862;  died, 
March  31st,  1863,  at  Portsmouth  Grove  Hospital. 

ANDREWS,  Ezra  A.,  Providence:  September  2nd,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December  13th, 
1862;  died  at  Portsmouth  Grove  Hospital,  March  31st, 
1863. 

BAKER,  Sylvester  C.,  as  above. 

BALLOU,  Horatio  X.,  Woonsocket:  August  21st,  1861; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
I;  to  C,  Veteran  organization. 

BARNETT,  Richard,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  June  5th, 
1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  3rd, 
1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BINNS,  Robert,  as  above. 

BLANCHARD,  Charles  H.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BLANCHARD,  William,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  September  1st,  1861. 

BLISS,  Frederic  W. ,  as  above. 

BROWN,  Oliver  P.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BROWN.  Thomas  W.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 


528  ROLL  OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

BURLIXGAME,  Henry,  East  Greenwich :  June  5th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BUIITOX,  Warren  W.,  Providence:  September  10th, 
1862;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

BUSH,  Alexander,  Germany:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  G,  First  Light  Artillery,  December  9th, 
1863;  sergeant;  mustered  out,  June  24th,  1865. 

BYRON,  Patrick,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CAHOOXE,  James  H.,  Coventry:  August  21st,  1861; 
•discharged,  November  30th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CARD,  John  F.,  East  Greenwich:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  June  26th,  1862. 

CARD,  Peleg  W.,  Coventry:  June  19th,  1861;  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

CARD,  William  M.  H.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  September  30th,  1861. 

CHANDLER,  John  M.,  Providence:  August  21st,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  June  26th,  1862. 

CLARKSON,  John,  England:  October  16th,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

CLIFFORD,  Rice,  Derby,  Vermont:  August  20th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

CONNARY,  William,  Providence:  December  4th,  1861; 
deserted,  May  23rd,  1863. 

CORY,  Nicholas  H.,  Wickford:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
honorably  discharged,  June  19th,  1862. 

COSTELLO,  John,  Providence:  August  20th,  1862;  un 
certain. 

COSTELLO,  Joseph,  Providence:  August  22nd,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  August  18th,  1863. 

COYNE,  James,  Providence:  August  22nd,  1862;  de 
serted,  December  5th,  1862. 


COMPANY    H.  529 

CUNNINGHAM,  Augustus  N.,  Providence:  June  5th, 
1861;  transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

CURRY,  John,  as  above. 

DAILEY,  Daniel,  East  Greenwich:  June  5th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

DERWIN,  Owen,  Providence:  August  21st,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  January  9th,  1863. 

DIAZ,  Antonio,  Mexico:  July  10th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

DODGE,  Jasper  L.,  East  Greenwich:  June  5th,  1861; 
•discharged,  August  24th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

DONOVAN,  Henry,  Providence:  December  16th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

DUKE,  Charles,  as  above. 

DI!NN,  George  B., Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

DURFEE,  Thomas  W.  D.,  East  Greenwich:  June  5th, 
1861;  deserted,  December  1st,  1862. 

DYER,  James,  Warwick:  August  21st,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

ECCLES,  Thomas,  Cranston:  September  13th,  1862; 
uncertain. 

EGARS,  John,  Providence:  August  21st,  1861;  dis 
charged,  October  28th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

ELDRIDGE,  Aaron  TV.,  Central  Village,  Connecticut: 
June  19th,  1861;  discharged,  April,  1862. 

FITCH,  Thomas  E.,  East  Greenwich:  June  5th,  1861; 
discharged,  December  31st,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate. 

FREYBERG,  Henry,  as  above. 

FRANKS,  George,  uncertain:  Transferred  to  United 
States  navy,  April  13th,  1864. 

GARDINER,  George  A.,  East  Greenwich:  February  19th, 
45 


530  ROLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

1862;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  August  9th, 
1862. 

GARDINER,  Jeffrey  H.,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GARDINER,  John  G.,  as  above. 

GERMAIN,  Paul,  France:  July  10th,  1863;  deserted, 
September  17th,  1863. 

GERRARD,  John,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GLENWRIGHT,  John,  East  Greenwich:  June  5th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GORTON,  Edward,  Woonsocket:  August  21st,  1861; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
C,  Veteran  organization. 

GORTON,  Martin  V.  B.,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  April  4th,  1863. 

GRAEFF,  Yost,  Germany:  July  9th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

GRAHAM,  John  H.,  Albany,  New  York:  December 
13th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  August, 
1862. 

GREENE,  Daniel,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  taken 
prisoner;  died  at  Andersonville,  August,  1864. 

GREENE,  Ezra,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  discharged, 
on  surgeon's  certificate,  January  29th,  1863. 

GREENE,  Nathaniel  C.,  Warwick:  June  19th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  February  23rd, 
1863. 

GREENE,  William  W.,  Exeter:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

GREY,  John,  Providence:  August  27th,  1862;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

GROVES,  Peleg  D.,  Cranston:  September  llth,  1862; 
honorably  discharged,  March  2nd,  1863. 


COMPANY   H.  531 

HADLEY,  Ambrose,  East  Greenwich:  June  6th,  1861; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  transferred  to  Com 
pany  C,  Veteran  organization. 

HATHAWAY,  James  B.,  as  above. 

HAWES,  James,  Providence:  August  21st,  1861;  un 
certain. 

HEAVEY,  Patrick,  Providence:  December  6th,  1861; 
died,  October  23rd,  1863. 

HENNESSEY,  Thomas,  East  Greenwich:  June  6th,  1861; 
died,  February  4th,  1862. 

HOLDER,  John,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  deserted, 
February  3rd,  1862. 

HOLMES,  Albert  C.,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  October  12th,  1862. 

HULING,  Aldrich  J.,  East  Greenwich:  June  6th,  1861 ; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JENNISON,  George  A.,  Providence:  August  22nd,  1862: 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

JOHNSON,  James  G.,  Coventry:  June  5th,  1861;  drop 
ped  from  rolls,  August,  1862;  supposed  to  have  died. 

JOHNSON,  Russell  B.,  Coventry:  June  6th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

KALANE,  James,  East  Greenwich:  June  6th,  1861; 
deserted,  January  5th,  1863. 

KENYON,  Lowell  H.,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  February  loth,  1864. 

KING,  James  A.,  as  above. 

KINGMAN,  Cassander,  as  above. 

KNIGHT,  Christopher  N.,  Cranston:  August  16th, 
1862;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

KNIGHT,  William  H., Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

LAPHAM,   Alphonso,    Cumberland:    July   9th,    1863; 


532  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

LEWIS,  Thomas,  Smithfield:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

LUNDY,  John,  Providence:  December  27th,  1861;  re- 
enlisted,  January  26th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company 
C,  Veteran  organization. 

MATHEWSON,  George  H.,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861; 
deserted,  January  5th,  1863. 

MIZER,  John,  Woonsocket:  July  16th,  1862;  deserted,. 
July  2nd,  1863. 

MOFFITT,  Leonard  P.,  East  Greenwich:  June  5th,. 
1861;  discharged,  January  llth,  1862,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate. 

MOHAN,  James,  Providence:  December  27th,  1861; 
reenlisted,  January  26th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company 
C,  Veteran  organization. 

MURPHY,  John,  Ireland:  July  9th,  1863;  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  transferred 
to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

'McARLEY,  Bartholomew,  Providence:  July  10th,  1863; 
uncertain. 

McAvoY,  Michael:  Transferred  to  G  (musician),  No 
vember  1st,  1863. 

McCABE,  Michael,  Providence:  September  4th,  1862; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  14th,  1863. 

McCANN,  John,  Ireland:  August  29th,  1863;  trans- 
tVnvd  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

McDoxALD,  John,  Ireland:  July  10th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

MHiKTRiCK,  Patrick,  East  Greenwich:  June  5th, 
1861;  honorably  discharged,  June  19th,  1861. 

M<-XIFF,  James,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  deserted,. 
December  5th,  1862. 


COMPANY    H. 

NAGLE,  Charles,  uncertain:  July  10th,  18G3;  trans 
ferred  to  United  States  navy,  April  llth,  1864. 

NAFF,  Louis  S.,  Switzerland:  July  7th,  1803;  second 
lieutenant,  Third  Cavalry,  November  14th,  18G3,  but 
not  discharged  or  mustered;  transferred  to  Company  C> 
Veteran  organization. 

NICHOLAS,  Cyril  H.,  as  above. 

NICHOLAS,  Daniel  W.,  as  above. 

NICHOLAS,  Lyman,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  June  19th,  1861. 

PHILLIPS,  John,  Ireland:  July  10th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

PICKFORD,  John  N.,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  December  3rd,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

POTTER,  William  H.,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  December  9th,  1862. 

RAY,  Thomas,  Warwick:  June  6th,  1861;  deserted,. 
December  5th,  1862. 

REMARK,  Wiljielm,  Germany:  July  10th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

ROBERTSON,  George,  Ireland:  August  8th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

ROGERS,  Christopher  T.,  Coventry:  June  6th,  1861; 
deserted,  January  5th,  1863. 

ROSE,  James  T.,  East  Greenwich:  June  5th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  November  5th,  1862. 

RYAN,  John,  Providence:  January  1st,  1862;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

SALISBURY,  Otis  H.,  Providence:  August  25th,  18U2: 
uncertain. 

SHERMAN,  Benjamin  W.,  as  above. 

SHERMAN,  George  A.,  Coventry:   February  8th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 
45* 


534  ROLL    OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

SIMMONS,  John  B.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mus- 
toivd  out,  June  17th,  18C4. 

SKINNER,  Joseph  G.,  as  above. 

SMITH,  William,  Scotland:  August  10th,  1803;  trans 
ferred  to  United  States  navy,  March  25th,  1864. 

STANLEY,  Peter  J.,  Providence:  June  19th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  December  12th,  1862. 

STEPHENSON,  David  R.,  as  above. 

SWEET,  Benoni,  as  above. 

SWEET,  Samuel  P.,  Jr.,  Coventry:  June  19th,  1861; 
died,  September  16th,  1861. 

THOMAS,  William,  Smithfield:  September  2nd,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

THOMPSON,  Edmund  M.,  East  Greenwich:  June  6th,. 
1861;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  1864. 

THOMPSON,  Edward  A.,  East  Greenwich:  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

THOMPSON,  William,  East  Greenwich:  October  21st, 
1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  3rd, 
1863;  discharged. 

TOURJEE,  Jeremiah,  as  above. 

VEATCH,  Charles,  Granville,  Indiana:  September  2nd, 
1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd, 
1863;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

VON  BERGER,  Heinrich,  Prussia:  July  10th,  1863;  de 
serted,  August  21st,  1863. 

WARBURTON,  Thomas,  Providence:  September  13th, 
1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th, 
1864;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

WILLIAMS,  Leonard,  Providence:  October  21st,  1862; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  14th,  1863. 

WILSON,  John  A.,  Cranston:  September  8th,  1862; 
killed  near  Cold  Harbor,  June  2nd,  1864. 


COMPANY    I.  535 

WILSON,  William,  Cranston:  September  15th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

WOODMANCY,  Thomas  T.,  as  above. 

WRIGHT,  James  J.,  Portland,  Maine:  August  30th, 
1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th, 
1864;  discharged. 


COMPANY    I. 

Captains:  S.  JAMES  SMITH,  SAMUEL  B.  M.  READ  and 
JOHN  R.  WATERHOUSE. 

First  Lieutenants:  STEPHEN  H.  BROWN,  HENRY  C. 
JENCKES,  BENJAMIN  B.  MANCHESTER,  JOHN  R.  WATER- 
HOUSE,  STEPHEN  B.  WEST,  Jr.,  and  SAMUEL  B.  RUS 
SELL. 

Second  Lieutenants:  HENRY  C.  COOK,  HENRY  C. 
JENCKES,  JOHN  R,  WATERHOUSE,  CLARK  E.  BATES  and 
JOHN  M.  TURNER. 

SERGEANTS. 

JOHN  R,  WATERHOUSE,  as  above. 

ALBERT  W.  CHAPPELL,  Woonsocket:  Sergeant,  June 
6th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  July 
25th,  1862. 

NAPOLEON  A.  VASLETT,  Woonsocket:  Sergeant,  June 
6th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March 
25th,  1862. 

EDWARD  A.  RUSSELL,  ADIN  B.  CAPRON,  as  above. 

HENRY  A.  GREEN,  Woonsocket:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  sergeant,  August  20th,  1861;  first  sergeant,  August 


536  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

3rd,  1802;  killed  at  the  buttle  of  Salem  Heights,  May 
3rd,  18G3. 

JOSEPH  M.  WOOD,  Mendon,  Massachusetts:  Private, 
June  6th,  1861;  sergeant,  August  20th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  reenlisted, 
February  20th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran 
organization. 

CHARLES  E.  PERKINS,  Smithtield:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  sergeant,  November 
4th,  1861;  first  sergeant,' June  24th,  1863;  reenlisted, 
December  26th,  1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wil 
derness,  May  6th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Vet 
eran  organization. 

CHARLES  H.  HAWKINS,  Greenville:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  sergeant,  May  25th,  1862;  discharged,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate,  March  6th,  1863. 

SAMUEL  WIGHT,  North  Scituatc:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  sergeant,  July  25th, 
1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd, 
and  died,  May  15th,  1863. 

WILLIAM  H.  PERRY,  Pawtucket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  November  4th,  1861;  sergeant,  June  24th, 
1863;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to 
Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

BRADFORD  CHAMBERLAIN,  Smithfield:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  sergeant,  April  21st,  1863;  reenlisted,  Decem 
ber  26th,  1863;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May 
12th,  1864. 

ASAHEL  T.  POTTER,  North  Scituate:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  2?th,  1862;  sergeant,  June  24th, 
1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JOHN  K.  SMITH,  Woonsocket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  sergeant,  September  10th,  1863;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 


COMPANY    I.  537 


CORPORALS. 

HENRY  A.  GREEN,  as  above. 

HORATIO  B.  SNOW,  Wrentham,  Massachusetts:  Cor 
poral,  June  6th,  1861;  transferred  to  Battery  A,  First 
Light  Artillery,  July  -14th,  1861;  musician;  corporal; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

THOMAS  J.  KELLEY,  Woonsocket:  Corporal,  June  6th, 
1861;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

JOHN  FORD,  Woonsocket:  Corporal,  June  6th,  1861; 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

BRADFORD  CHAMBERLAIN,  CHARLES  H.  HAWKINS,  as 
above. 

GEORGE  B.  HUTCHINSON,  Slatersville:  Corporal,  June 
6th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  October 
13th,  1861;  died,  August  15th,  1862. 

WILLIAM  H.  JILLSON,  Woonsocket:  Corporal,  June: 
6th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  April 
7th,  1862. 

SAMUEL  WIGHT,  CHARLES  E.  PERKINS,  as  above. 

DAVID  C.  AUSTIN,  Scituate:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  August  1st,  1861 ;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WILLIAM  H.  GREENE, Woonsocket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  1st,  1861;  discharged,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate,  August  31st,  1861. 

JOHN  BRAYSHAW,  Lonsdale:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  September  1st,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862;  discharged,  on  surgeon's- 
certificate,  September  25th,  1862. 

WILLIAM  H.  PERRY,  as  above. 

HIRAM  A  DA  MS,  Woonsocket:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  November  4th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's 
certificate,  January  2Dth,  1863. 

THOMAS  W.  HORTON,  Glocester:   Private,  June  6th,. 


538  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

1861;  corporal,  February  25th,  1862;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

EDWARD  CLIFFORD,  Woonsocket:  Priyate,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  May  15th,  1862;  discharged,  on  surgeon's 
certificate,  February  25th,  1863. 

THOMAS  H.  BARKER,  Providence:  Private,  December 
23rd,  1861;  corporal,  May  25th,  1862;  died,  July  24th, 
1862. 

ALBERT  F.  DAVIS,  Glocester:  Private,  August  1st, 
1861;  corporal..  July  25th,  1862;  died  at  Chester,  Penn 
sylvania,  August  30th,  1862. 

GEORGE  H.  CHENERY,  ASAHEL  T.  POTTER,  as  above. 

JOSEPH  A.  PHILLIPS,  Georgiaville:  Private,  August 
1st,  1861;  corporal,  November  1st,  1862;  killed  in  front 
of  Spottsylvania,  May  18th,  1864. 

GEORGE  L.  HOPKINS,  Glocester:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  November  1st,  1862;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

PETER  SAULT,  Woonsocket:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  November  1st,  1862;  mustered  out,  June  17th, 
1864. 

JAMES  MOFFITT,  Woonsocket:  Private,  August  1st, 
1861;  corporal,  November  1st,  1862;  transferred  to  Com 
pany  C,  Veteran  organization. 

CHARLES  W.  CORY,  Mendon,  Massachusetts:  Private, 
June  6th,  1861;  corporal,  April  21st,  1863;  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JAMES  LEE,  Woonsocket:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
corporal,  June  24th,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GUSTAVE  A.  PERSECHE,  Providence:  Private,  August 
1st,  1861;  corporal,  June  24th,  1863;  transferred  to 
Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 


COMPANY    I.  539 

ELISHA  ARNOLD,  Smithfield:  Private,  June  6th,  1861; 
corporal,  September  30th,  1863;  reenlisted,  December 
26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  C, Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

BERNARD  McGAHEN,  Slatersville :  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  September  30th,  1863;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

LOWELL  C.  COOK,  Woousocket:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  corporal,  as  per  adjutant-general's  report;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

Musician:  GEORGE  F.  KEN  YON,  Providence:  Mu 
sician,  June  6th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

Wagoners:  WILLIAM  H.  ALDRicn,Woonsocket:  Wag 
oner,  June  6th,  1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certifi 
cate,  September  15th,  1862. 

SILAS  G.  BALLOU,  Central  Falls:  Private,  June  6th, 
1861;  wagoner,  December  1st,  1861;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

PRIVATES. 

ADAMS,  Hiram,  as  above. 

ALDRICH,  Wilson,  Scituate:  July  9th,  1863;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

ANGELL,  Lewis  E.,  Greenville:  August  1st,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

ARNOLD,  Elisha,  as  above. 

ARNOLD,  Leander  A.,  Woonsocket:  June  6th,  1861; 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863. 

AUSTIN,  David  C.,  as  above. 

BAILEY,  Frederic  A.,  Burrillville:  June  6th,  1861; 
taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861; 


540  ROLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

released,  May  22nd,  1862;  mustered  out,  June  5th,  18G4. 

BALL,  Albert,  Woonsocket:  June  6th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BALL,  Nalmm, Woonsocket:  June  6th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BALLOU,  Silas  G.,  as  above. 

BARKER,  Thomas  H.,  as  above. 

BOYLSTON,  James  E.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BRAYSHAW,  John,  as  above. 

BROPHEY,  James  H.,  Georgiaville:  February  17th, 
1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th, 
1864;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

BROWN,  Clarke  H.,  Franklin,  Massachusetts:  Taken 
prisoner,  September  16th,  1863;  exchanged;  mustered 
out,  December  13th,  1864. 

CARPENTER,  Rudolph  0.,  Woonsocket:  June  6th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CARROLL,  Patrick,  Greenville:  August  21st,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

CHENERY,  George  H.,  as  above. 

CLIFFORD,  Edward,  as  above. 

COLVIN,  Albert  H.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

COLVIN,  Charles  E.,  North  Scituate:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  near  Spottsylvania,  May  8th,  1864;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

COLVIN,  Darius,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  December  24th,  1862. 

COLVIN,  Matthew  L.,  Scituate:  August  6th,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 


COMPANY    I.  541 

COOK,  Lowell  C.,  as  above. 

CORY,  Charles  W.,  as  above. 

DAVIS,  Albert  F.,  as  above. 

DONNELY,  Thomas,  Woonsocket:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  August  5th,  1861,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

DONNOVAN,  John,  Providence:  December  16th,  1861; 
killed,  May  3rd,  1863,  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights. 

DURFEE,  Nathan  L.,  Glocester:  August  1st,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

ENGLEY,  Eaton  E.,  Uxbridge,  Massachusetts:  June 
6th,  1861;  deserted,  December  llth,  1862. 

FARNUM,  Charles  W.,  Jr.,  Glocester:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
July  21st,  1861;  released;  discharged,  July  16th,  1862, 
on  surgeon's  certificate. 

FENNELL,  Daniel,  Woonsocket:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  December  llth,  1862. 

GANNON",  Patrick,  Providence:  December  16th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December 
13th,  1862;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

GORTON,  Edward:  See  Company  H;  reenlisted,  Decem 
ber  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  or 
ganization. 

GORTON,  Nathan  D.,  Cumberland:  February  18th, 
1864;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

GRAYELIN,  Peter,  Woonsocket:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  July  22nd,  1862. 

GREEN,  Albert,  Pawtuxet:  June  6th,  1861;  discharged, 
July  20th,  1862. 

GREENE,  George  W. :   See  Company  F. 

GREENE,  William  H.,  as  above. 

HALEY,  Hugh,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 

46 


542  ROLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

1861;  released,  May  22nd,  1862;  transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  January  15th,  1864. 

HASWELL,  Joseph  L.,  SlatersA^ille:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HIGGINS,  Richard:  See  Company  B;  reenlisted,  Feb 
ruary  24th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran 
organization. 

HOLROYD,  George  S.,  Uxbridge,  Massachusetts:  June 
6th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May 
3rd,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HOPKINS,  George  L.,  as  above. 

HORTON,  Thomas  W.,  as  above. 

KNIGHT,  Allen  S.,  uncertain:  August  6th,  1862;  un 
certain. 

LAWRENCE,  Benjamin  F.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  August  5th,  1861. 

LEACH,  James  D.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

LEARY,  John,  Woonsocket:  June  6th,  1861;  deserted, 
December  llth,  1862. 

LEE,  James,  as  above. 

LESAGE,  Lewis,  Providence:  October  15th,  1861;  un 
certain. 

LEWIS,  Thomas  TV.  D.,  Jamestown:  December  25th, 
1861;  reenlisted,  January  4th,  1864;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864;  transferred  as 
corporal  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

JJOOMIS,  John  F.,  Central  Falls:  October  llth,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

LOPER,  Jarvis  R.,  uncertain:  August  20th,  1862; 
transferred  as  hospital  steward  to  Veteran  organization. 

MALONE,  John  J.,  Woonsocket:  June  6th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 


COMPANY  i.  5 1;> 

MANSFIELD,  Thomas,  England:  July  10th,  18G3;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

MARSH,  Eugene  H.,  Franklin,  Massachusetts:  June 
6th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May 
12th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

MARTIN,  James,  Albion:  Jane  6th,  1861;  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  and  died,  May 
15th,  1864. 

MASON,  Bradford  C.,  Providence:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

MOFFITT,  James,  as  above. 

MOWEY,  Albert  A.,  Slatersville :  June  6th,  1861;  de 
tailed  to  brigade  headquarters,  March,  1862;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

MOWRY,  Oren  S.,  Providence:  October  18th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd, 
1863;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  January  5th, 
1864. 

MOWRY,  William  W.,  Smithfield:  June  6th,  1861; 
deserted,  September  10th,  1862. 

MULLER,  Theodore  E.,  Germany:  July  10th,  1863; 
transferred  as  corporal  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organiza 
tion. 

MUNSON, William,  Canada:  July  9th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

McGAHEN,  Bernard,  as  above. 

McKENNA,  James,  Providence:  October  10th,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

NEEDHAM,  John  W.,  Providence:  July  8th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

PARKER,  Edward  A.,  Scituate:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  October  20th,  1862. 

PARKHURST,  Albert  B.,  Mendon,  Massachusetts:  Mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 


544  ROLL   OF  THE   REGIMENT. 

PERKINS,  Charles  E.,  as  above. 

PERRY,  George,  Woonsocket:  October  Oth,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

PERRY,  William  H.,  as  above. 

PERSECHE,  Gnstave  A.,  as  above. 

PHILLIPS,  Joseph  A.,  as  above. 

POTTER,  Asahel  T.,  as  above. 

POTTER,  James  W.,  Scituate:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

PRUE,  David, AVoonsocket:  June  6th,  1861;  reenlisted,. 
December  26th,  1863;  transf erred  to  Company  C,  Veteran 
organization. 

RAID,  George,  France:-  July  9th,  1863;  transferred  to 
Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

RANDALL,  John  B.,  Woonsocket:  Wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  discharged,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate,  January  1st,  1862. 

REED,  William  H.,  Slatersville:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  February  1st,  1863. 

RILEY,  Edward  0. :   See  Company  C. 

RILEY,  James  0.,  uncertain:  August  10th,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  October  12th,  1863; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SAULT,  Peter,  as  above. 

SAUNDERS,  Henry  A.,  Ireland:  August  27th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Battery  G,  First  Light  Artillery,  Decem 
ber  9th,  1863;  mustered  out,  June  24th,  1865. 

SCHAA,  Hans,  Germany:  August  12th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

SCHMIDT,  Carl,  Germany:  July  10th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

SHELDON,  Charles  M.,  Cranston:  June  14th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  August  5th,  1861. 


COMPANY   I.  545 

SIMMONS,  George  N.,  Providence:  October  13th,  1801; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

SMALL,  Robert  W.,  as  above. 

SMITH,  John  K.,  as  above. 

SMITH,  William  F.,  Providence:  March  17th,  1864; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

SMITH,  William  L.,  Providence:  October  1st,  1861; 
discharged,  June  17th,  1862. 

STEERE,  James  F.,  Georgiaville:  August  1st,  1861; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

STEERE,  Jesse,  Glocester:  August  1st,  1861;  reenlisted, 
December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  C, Veteran 
organization. 

STONE,  Albert  H.,  Scituate:  November  19th,  1861; 
died  at  Portsmouth  Grove,  July  15th,  1862. 

STREETER,  Joseph  W.,  Woonsocket:  August  1st,  1861 ; 
uncertain. 

SULLIVAN,  Daniel,  Providence:  August  21st,  1862; 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  April  18th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  July  8th,  1865. 

TAYER,  Henry  C.,  uncertain:  August  20th,  1862;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  December  5th,  1863. 

TAYLOR,  George  C.,  uncertain:  June  6th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  October  19th,  1862. 

TELLER,  Victor,  Prussia:  August  llth,  1863;  deserted, 
September  16th,  1863. 

THORNTON,  Jesse  B.,  Providence:  December  24th, 
1801;  uncertain. 

THORPE,  Elias  H.,  Glocester:  June  6th,  1861;  deserted, 
December  5th,  1863. 

THURSTON,  Benjamin  R.,  Providence:  August  20th, 
1862;  transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

TOUIR,  Christian,  Germany:   July  10th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  United  States  navy,  April  15th,  1864. 
46* 


546  ROLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

TRAVERSE,  Augustine  F.,  Canada:  August  8th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Battery  G,  First  Light  Artillery,  December 
9th,  1863;  killed,  October  19th,  1864,  at  the  battle  of 
Cedar  Creek. 

TUBES,  Albert,  Uxb ridge,  Massachusetts:  June  6th> 
186  L;  deserted,  August  8th,  1861. 

TUCKER,  Leander  S.,  Mendon,  Massachusetts:  June 
6th,  1861;  courtmartialed;  at  Fort  Jefferson,  Florida,  at 
date  of  muster  out. 

TURNER,  John  M.,  as  above. 

VGSE,  Charles  F.,  uncertain:  Died  at  Brandy  Station, 
December  12th,  1863. 

WALES,  Henry  T\,  Bellingham,  Massachusetts:  June 
6th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

WALLING,  .Benjamin  G.,  North  Providence:  July  9th> 
1863;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th> 
1864;  transferred  to  Company  0,  Veteran  organization. 

WEEKS,  Charles  W.,  Slatersville:  June  6th,  1861;  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
C,  Veteran  organization. 

WERNER,  George,  Germany:  July  10th,  1863;  de 
serted,  August  27th,  1863. 

WHIPPLE,  Marcus  E.,  Cumberland:  July  9th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

WIGHT,  Samuel,  as  above. 

WILCOX,  George  W.,  Mendon,  Massachusetts:  June 
6th,  1861;  accidentally  killed,  March  12th,  1862. 

WILLIS,  William,  North  Kingstown:  July  10th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 

WINSOR,  Pitts  S.,  Scituate:  January  29th,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  and 
died,  May  20th,  1863. 

WOOD,  Charles  C.,  uncertain:  Transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  March  15th,  1864. 


COMPANY    K.  54T 

WOOD,  Joseph  M.,  as  above. 

WOOD,  Thomas C.,  Cumberland:  November  19th,  1861;. 
transferred  to  Company  C,  Veteran  organization. 


COMPANY    K. 

Captains:  CHARLES  W.  TURNER,  EDWIN  K.  SHER 
MAN  and  JOHN  P.  SHAW. 

First  Lieutenants:  OTIS  P.  G.  CLARKE,  SAMUEL  J. 
SMITH,  JOHN  P.  SHAW  and  WILLIAM  L.  WHEATON. 

Second  Lieutenants:  SAMUEL  J.  SMITH,  WILLIAM  G. 
TURNER,  JOHN  G.  BEVERIDGE,  OBED  H.  GIFFORD,  STE 
PHEN  WEST,  Jr.,  and  EDMUND  F.  PRENTISS. 

SERGEANTS. 

OBED  H.  GIFFORD,  as  above. 

JOHN  HAMILTON,  Providence:  Sergeant,  June  5th,. 
1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  August  5th, 
1861. 

WILLIAM  G.  TURNER,  as  above. 

JAMES  W.  DENNIS,  Jr.,  Newport:  Sergeant,  June 
5th,  1861;  discharged,  January  21st,  1863. 

WILLIAM  T.  LAWTON,  Newport:  Sergeant,  June  5th, 
1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd, 
1863;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  August  29th, 
1863. 

EBENEZER  J.  BLAKE,  Providence:  Corporal,  June  5th, 
1861;  sergeant,  July  22nd,  1861;  first  sergeant,  October 
5th,  1862;  taken  prisoner  near  Spottsylvania,  May  15th,. 


548  KOLL   OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

1864;  released,  December  llth,  1864;  died  at  Annapolis, 
Maryland,  February  16th,  1865. 

HAZARD  A.  REYNOLDS,  Providence:  Private,  June 
5th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  sergeant,  July  22nd,  1861;  mustered  out,  June 
17th,  1864. 

JOHN  D.  BENTON,  Providence:  Private,  August  1st, 
1861;  first  sergeant,  September- 25th,  1861;  discharged, 
on  surgeon's  certificate,  January  27th,  1862. 

JOHN  H.  MURPHY,  Newport:  Corporal,  June  5th, 
1861;  sergeant,  November  30th,  1861;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

MARSHALL  M.  WEST,  Olneyville:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  July  22nd,  1861;  sergeant,  October  4th, 
1862;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HENRY  T.  BLAN CHARD,  Providence:  Corporal,  June 
5th,  1861;  sergeant,  October  5th,  1862;  killed  at  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864. 

JAMES  TAYLOR,  Newport:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal,  November  30th,  1861;  sergeant,  July  1st,  1863; 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864. 

CORPORALS. 

JOHN  HODGSON,  Providence:  Corporal,  June  5th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

EBENEZERJ.  BLAKE,  HENRY  T.  BLANCHARD,  as  above. 

HENRY  REINWALD,  Pawtucket:  Corporal,  June  5th, 
1861;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  1862. 

TIMOTHY  C.  SULLIVAN,  Newport:  Corporal,  June 
5th,  1861;  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  released;  discharged,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate,  December  18th,  1861. 

JOHN  H.  MURPHY,  as  above. 


COMPANY    K. 

SAMUEL  WORMWOOD,  Maine:  Corporal,  June  5th, 
1861;  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
May  5th,  1864;  released;  transferred  to  Company  A> 
Veteran  organization. 

JOHN  W.  HUNT,  Greenwich:  Corporal,  June  5th,. 
1861;  died,  April  llth,  1863. 

WILLIAM  P.  SLOCUM,  Portsmouth:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  August  20th,  1861;  discharged,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate,  March  25th,  1862. 

MARSHALL  M.  WEST,  as  above. 

LEONARD  C.  BELDEN,  East  Douglass,  Massachusetts: 
Private,  June  5th,  1861;  corporal,  November  14th,  1861; 
deserted,  September  1st,  1862. 

JOHN  J.  HILTON,  Worcester,  Massachusetts:  Private, 
June  6th,  1861;  corporal,  November  30th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

OLIVER  H.  P.  HOWARD,  Fall  Kiver,  Massachusetts: 
Private,  June  5th,  1861;  corporal,  November  30th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  October  5th,  1862. 

JAMES  TAYLOR,  as  above. 

JOHN  E.  WILLIAMS,  German  town,  Pennsylvania:  Pri 
vate,  August  1st,,  1861;  corporal,  October  5th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  B,  Veteran  organization. 

SAMUEL  T.  PERRY,  Perry ville:  Private,  June  5th, 
1861;  corporal,  October  5th,  1862;  color-guard,  August 
2nd,  1863;  reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864. 

JAMES  C.  STACY,  Newport:  Private,  June  5th,  1861; 
corporal,  October  5th,  1862;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864;  mustered  out,  June  17th, 
1864. 

GEORGE  W.  BRAMAN,  Newport:  Private,  June  5th,. 
1861:  corporal,  October  5th,  1862;  mustered  out,  June- 
17th,  1864. 


550  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

THOMAS  H.  B.  PALES, Washington,  District  of  Colum 
bia:  Private,  July  15th,  1861;  corporal,  October  5th, 
1862;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd, 
1863. 

CHARLES  BROWN,  South  Kingstown:  Private,  June 
5th,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June 
25th,  1862;  corporal,  May  6th,  1863;  mustered  out,  Juno 
17th,  1864. 

THOMAS  E.  JONES,  Providence:  Private,  January  20th, 
1863;  corporal,  July  1st,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
A,  Veteran  organization. 

CHARLES  W.  HATHAWAY,  Fall  River,  Massachusetts: 
Private,  June  5th,  1861;  corporal,  July  25th,  1863;  re- 
enlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company 
A,  Veteran  organization. 

Musicians:  JOHN  F.  LEACH,  Providence:  Musician, 
June  5th,  1861;  transferred  to  Battery  A,  First  Light 
Artillery,  June  20th,  1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

JAMES  SHELLEY,  Illinois:  Musician,  November  4th, 
1861;  taken  prisoner;  released;  transferred  to  Company 
C,  Veteran  organization. 

HUGH  C  ROWLEY,  Lonsdale:  Musician,  June  18th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

Wagoner:  JOSEPH  W.  WADE,  Maine:  Wagoner,  June 
5th,  1861;  deserted,  February  4th,  1862. 

PRIVATES. 

ALLSOP,  John,  East  Greenwich:  March  6th,  1862;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  September  21st,  1863. 

ANGELL,  William  H.,  Smithfield:  August  1st,  1861; 
taken  prisoner,  May,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  A, 
Veteran  organization. 


COMPANY    K.  551 

BAKER,  Darius,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BAKER,  William  J.,  Providence:  October  15th,  1862; 
deserted,  December  5th,  1862. 

BARRY,  John,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  released,  May  22nd,  1862;  discharged,  on  surgeon's 
certificate,  September  12th,  1862. 

BARTLETT,  Jencks,  Smithfield:  August  1st,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

BELDEX,  Leonard  C.,  as  above. 

BENTON,  John  D,,  as  above. 

BIERWANGER,  John,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
deserted,  January  20th,  1862. 

BOLTOX,  Peter,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

BRAMAN,  George  W.,  as  above. 

BROWN,  Charles,  as  above. 

BROWN,  William,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861:  discharged, 
on  surgeon's  certificate,  January  20th,  1863. 

BUCKLIN,  William  X.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CALLAHAN,  James,  Olneyville:  January  20th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Battery  C,  First  Light  Artillery,  January 
28th,  1864;  to  G,  December  23rd,  1864;  mustered  out, 
June  24th,  1865. 

CALLAHAN,  John,  Valley  Falls:  June  5th,  1861;  de 
serted,  August  4th,  1862. 

CHAMBERS,  Thomas,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  March  15th,  1864. 

CHASE,  Zaccheus,  Newport:   August  1st,  1861;  re  en- 


552  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

listed,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  A, 
Veteran  organization. 

CLARKE,  Augustus  M.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  13th,  1863. 

COBB,  William  M.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  April  12th,  1864,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

COLLINS,  Thomas,  New  York  city:  January  16th, 
1863;  deserted,  February  26th,  1863. 

CONLY,  John  J.,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  deserted, 
March  20th,  1862. 

CONNOR,  Lawrence,  Newport:  June  6th,  1861;  de 
serted,  March  20th,  1862. 

COONEY,  James,  Pawtucket:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

CORBETT,  William,  Providence:  October  23rd,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  4th,  1863. 

CORCORAN,  Dennis,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  de 
serted,  August  12th,  1861. 

COURTNEY,  John,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  again  at  the 
battle  of  Salem  Heights,  May  3rd,  1863;  mustered  out, 
June  17th,  1864. 

CRANDALL,  James  S.,  East  Greenwich :  February  14th, 
1862;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  September 
25th,  1862. 

DEVLIN,  John,  Olneyville:  June  5th,  1861;  de'serted, 
November  18th,  1861. 

DIMOND,  William,  Olneyville:  January  16th,  1862; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  November  6th,  1862. 

Dow,  James  P.,  Pawtucket:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  August  5th,  1861. 

DOWNEY,  John  J.,  Providence:  October  27th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  July  26th,  1862. 

FALES,  Thomas  H.  B.,  as  above. 


COMPANY    K.  553 

FINN'.  Martin,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
-out,  June  17th,  1864. 

FLINN,  Samuel  J.,  New  York  city:  January  19th, 
1863;  deserted,  May  8th,  1863. 

FOSTER,  John,  uncertain:  October  17th,  1862;  deserted, 
December  5th,  1862. 

GLADDING,  Harrison,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  4th,  1863. 

GOULD,  Charles  H.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  June  23rd,  1863,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

GRAHAM,  John,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

GRAVES,  Samuel  W.,  Apponaug:  June  5th,  1861; 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
July  21st,  1861;  released,  May  22nd,  1862;  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864. 

GREENMAN,  Edward,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861; 
deserted,  November  27th,  1861. 

HANLEY,  James,  Olneyville:  January  19th,  1862; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization.  * 

HARROP, Walter,  England:  July  9th,  1863;  transferred 
to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

HATHAWAY,  Augustus  J.,  Providence:  June  5th, 
1861;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HATHAWAY,  Charles  W.,  as  above. 

HATHAWAY,  James  H.,  Providence:  February  26th, 
1862;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

HIGGINS,  John,  Olneyville:  June  5th,  1861;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  A,  First  Light  Artillery,  July  7th,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  3rd,  and 
died,  July  8th,  1863. 

HILTON,  John  J.,  as  above. 

HINES,  Henry  F.,  Providence:  June  18th,  1861;  wound- 


554  ROLL   OF   THE   REGIMENT. 

cd  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 
21st,  1861;  released;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate, 
September  12th,  1862. 

HOLLIS,  James  B.,  Olneyville:  December  16th,  1861; 
deserted,  March  21st,  1862. 

HOPKINS,  William,  Central  Falls:  June  6th,  1861; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HOWARD,  Oliver  H.  P.,  as  above. 

HUNT,  William  H.,  Warwick:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

HURLBURT,  Augustus,  Providence:  October  18th,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  25th,  1862. 

ISLAND,  Patrick,  Smithfield:  October  29th,  1861;  died, 
May  29th,  1862,  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia. 

JANITZKY,  Theodore,  Olneyville:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  May  2nd,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

JONES,  Thomas  E.,  as  above. 

KEENE,  Simon  W.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  September  10th,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

KILROY,  Patrick,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  fche  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  discharged, 
April  2nd,  1862,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

LEE,  Peter,  uncertain:  July  9th,  1863;  deserted,  August 
20th,  1863. 

MARKLAND,  George,  Canada:  July  8th,  1863;  deserted, 
September  24th,  1863. 

MERRICK,  Henry,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  January 
12th,  1863;  deserted,  March  20th,  1863. 

MORAN,  John,  uncertain:  August  15th,  1863;  missing 
at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  May  12th,  1864. 

MORAN,  John  H.,  Providence:  April  1st,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

MORAN,  Michael,  Ireland:  August  15th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 


COMPANY    K.  555 

MORSE,  Edward  T.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

MOWRY,  Daniel,  Providence:  October  10th,  1861;  died 
at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  December  1 8th,  1863. 

MULLEN,  Patrick  J.,  Providence:  June  18th,  1861; 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

MURPHY,  John  H.,  Woonsocket:  June  oth,  1861; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864: 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

MYERS,  Lewis,  uncertain:  July  9th,  1863;  deserted, 
November  26th,  1863. 

McCABE,  John,  Providence:  June  18th,  1861;  wound 
ed  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 
21st,  1861;  released;  mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

MCCAFFREY,  John,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  25th,  1862. 

McCANN,  William,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  died  at  Richmond,  July  31st,  1861. 

McCoY,  James,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  14th,  1863. 

McGiNLEY,  William,  England:  July  18th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

MclNTiRE,  Matthew,  Pawtucket:  June  5th,  1861;  de 
serted,  August  4th,  1862. 

McIvER,  Peter,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

NEWMAN,  David  A.,  Newport:  June 5th,  1861;  died, 
May  14th,  1862,  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia. 

NICHOLS,  Charles,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  August  5th,  1861. 

NICHOLSON,  John  C.,  Newport:  June 5th,  1861;  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 


556  ROLL   OF  THE    REGIMENT. 

NiCKERSON,Elijah,Pawtucket:  June  5th,  1861;  wound 
ed  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December  13th,  1862;. 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  March  2nd,  1864; 
mustered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

O'HEARN,  Maurice,  Ireland:  March  1st,  1862;  reen- 
listed,  March  4th,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  A, Vet 
eran  organization. 

O'SuLLiVAN,  Timothy,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863. 

PECKHAM,  Henry  E.,  August  1st,  1861;  transferred  to- 
Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

PERRY,  Samuel  T.,  as  above. 

RANDALL,  Cyril,  Olneyville:  November  27th,  1861;. 
deserted,  March  21st,  1862. 

RANDALL,  Henry  C.,  Olneyville:  December  2nd,  1861;. 
discharged,  November  5th,  1862. 

RANDALL,  Isaac  C.,  Olneyville:  December  16th,  1861; 
reenlisted,  December  26th,  1863;  transferred  to  Com 
pany  A,  Veteran  organization. 

RANDALL,  William  H.,  Olneyville:  November  27th,. 
1861;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th, 
1862. 

REDMOND,  Peter  J.,  New  York  city:  January  19th, 
1863;  transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

REYNOLDS,  Hazard  A.,  as  above. 

RILEY,  John,  Valley  Falls:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st, 
1861;  afterwards  died. 

ROENAN,  John,  uncertain:  July  9th,  1863;  transferred 
to  United  States  navy,  April  12th,  1864. 

SAMPSON,  Alonzo,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  September  29th,  186K 

SCHAFFER,  John,  Ireland:  July  9th,  1863;  deserted,. 
December  5th,  1863. 


COMPANY    K.  557 

SCHNEIDER,  Heinrich,  Germany:  July  10th,  1863; 
deserted,  August  21st,  1863. 

SHANE,  Robert,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  June  25th,  1862. 

SHELDON,  Walter  M.,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861; 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861. 

SLOCUM,  William  P.,  as  above. 

SMITH,  Anson  J.,  Newport:  August  1st,  1861;  reen- 
listed,  December  26th,  1863;  killed  in  front  of  Cold 
Harbor,  June  3rd,  1864. 

SMITH,  Duffle,  England:  August  15th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

SMITH,  Israel,  Smithfield:  August  1st,  1861;  mustered 
out,  August  1st,  1864. 

STACY,  James  C.,  as  above. 

STEELE,  Alexander,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  mus 
tered  out,  June  17th,  1864. 

STRAUSS,  Hans,  Germany:  July  9th,  1863;  deserted. 
December  5th,  1863. 

SULLIVAN,  John,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1864. 

SULLIVAN,  Timothy  C.,  Ireland:  December  26th,  1862; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

TAYLOR,  James,  as  above. 

THOMPSON,  Frederic,  uncertain:  July  9th,  1863;  de 
serted,  September  18th,  1863. 

THOMPSON,  Samuel,  Newport:  June  5th,  1861;  de 
serted,  November  1st,  1861. 

THURSTON,  James  F.,  Newport:  June  5th,  ISiil: 
transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  August  1st,  1863. 

TIERNEY,  Andrew,  Providence:  October  17th,  1861; 
deserted,  November  15th,  1861. 


558  ROLL    OF   THE    REGIMENT 

TULIGG,  Hemiel,  Germany:  August  12th,  1863;  de 
serted,  October  19th,  1863. 

VATELACAICI,  Giuse})pe,  Italy:  July  8th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

VERPEMAN,  Albrecht,  Germany:  July  10th,  1863; 
deserted,  August  26th,  1863. 

VINCENT,  Douglass,  Canada:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

VOGEL,  Hermann,  Germany:  July  9th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

WARE,  George  E.,  Pawtucket:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  July  3rd,  1861. 

WATSON,  Thomas  G.,  Providence:  July  9th,  1863; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

WEST,  Lorin  S.  H.,  Warwick:  July  8th,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Company  A,  Veteran  organization. 

WEST,  Marshall  M.,  as  above. 

WILKINS,  Daniel,  Providence:  June  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  September  29th,  1861. 

WILLIAMS,  John  R.,  as  above. 

WOODWORTH,  James  T.,  Providence:  August  1st,  1861 : 
discharged,  December  20th,  1862. 

YOUNG,  Thomas  E.,  Newport:  August  1st,  1861; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  April  23rd,  1862. 


THE    REGIMENTAL    BAND 

PETER   KALKMAN,    Leader:    June   12th,    1861;    dis 
charged. 

H.  E.  TETLOW,  Drum-major:  June  12th,  1861. 
JEREMIAH  S.  POTTER,  as  above. 
JOHN  H.  TENNANT,  as  above. 


THE  KE<;  i. MENTAL  HAND. 

MUSICIANS. 

CANNO,  Joseph,  August  8th,  18U1. 

BILLOW  AY,  William  S.,  Sq»t  ember  5th,  1861;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  December  20th,  1861. 

ELMENDORFF,  Theodore,  June  12th,  1861. 

FESSENDEN,  Albert  W.,  June  12th,  1861;  absent  with 
out  leave. 

GAHEN,  Peter,  June  6th,  1861. 

GILBERT,  Frank  E.,  June  12th,  1861. 

HALL,  Bernard  M. :    See  Company  D. 

KEN  YON,  George  F. :    See  Company  I. 

KEYES,  Warren  C.,  June  12th,  1861;  discharged,  on 
surgeon's  certificate,  March  5th,  1862. 

KRAMER,  Charles  L.,  June  12th,  1861. 

KURALT,  Charles  A.,  June  12th,  1861. 

KURALT,  Joseph,  June  6th,  1861. 

LARKIX,  John,  June  6th,  1861. 

PALMER,  B.  S.,  June  12th,  1861. 

PARKER,  Chandler  L.,  June  12th,  1861. 

PERKINS,  William,  June  12th,  1861. 

RANDALL,  Charles  W.,  June  12th,  1861. 

RYAN,  W.  B.,  June  12th, -1861;  taken  prisoner  at  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  released,  June  3rd, 
1862. 

SCHAAF,  Frederic,  August  16th,  1861. 

SCHUNKE,  Julius,  August  12th,  1861. 

STEINMAN,  Louis,  June  12th,  1861. 

WADDINGTON,  James,  June  6th,  1861;  deserted,  July 
29th,  1861. 

WEBBER,  George,  June  12th,  1861;  discharged,  on 
surgeon's  i-ertitirate,  March  8th,  1862. 

WOODWORTH,  Albert,  June  12th,  1861. 


THE  VETERAN  ORGANIZATION. 


p(OLONEL:  ELISHA  H.  RHODES:  See  Roll  of  the- 
T")  Regiment,  Adjutants;  captain  of  B,  commanding  the 
'  Battalion,  June  5th,  1864;  brevet  major,  December 
5th,  1864;  lieutenant-colonel,  January  31st,  1865;  brevet 
colonel,  April  2nd,  1865;  colonel,  July  18th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865;  Regiment  disbanded,  July 
28th,  1865. 

Lieutenant-Colonels:     ELISHA  H.  .RHODES,  as  above. 

HENRY  H.  YOUNG:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Cap 
tains;  captain  of  A,  inspector-general,  4th  brigade,  2nd 
division,  Sixth  Corps,  June  5th,  1864;  major,  chief  of 
scouts,  General  Sheridan's  staff,  October  12th,  1864; 
brevet  lieutenant-colonel,  March  13th,  1865;  lieutenant- 
colonel,  July  18th,  1865;  mustered  out,  August  19th, 
1865;  aide  to  General  Sheridan  in  Texas;  in  Mexican 
service;  died,  1866. 

Majors:    HENRY  H.  YOUNG,  as  above. 

STEPHEN  THURBER,  Providence:  First  lieutenant, 
Tenth  Rhode  Island,  May  26th,  1862;  captain,  D,  Second 
Rhode  Island  Veterans,  October  14th,  1864;  major,  July 
18th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

Brevet  Major:    ELISHA  H.  RHODES,  as  above. 

Adjutant:  THORNDIKE  J.  SMITH:  See  Roll  of  the 
Regiment,  Adjutants;  adjutant  of  the  Battalion,  June 


XON-i  o.M  MISSIONED    STAFF.  561 

5th,  1804;  wounded  in  front  of  Petersburg,  June  18th, 
1864;  first  lieutenant,  July  16th,  1864;  post  adjutant  at 
Elmira,  New  York;  brevet  captain,  August  1st,  1864; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865;  died,  June  18th,  1869. 

Quartermaster:  ROBERT  W.  SMALL:  See  Roll  of  the 
Regiment,  Quartermaster-Sergeants ;  quartermaster-ser 
geant  of  the  Battalion,  June  5th,  1864;  first  lieutenant 
and  quartermaster,  September  9th,  1864;  mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

Surgeon:  WILLIAM  F.  SMITH:  See  Roll  of  the  Regi 
ment,  Assistant  Surgeons;  surgeon,  March  10th,  1865. 

SERGEANT-MAJORS. 

GEORGE  T.  EASTERBROOKS:  See  Roll  of  the  Regi 
ment,  Sergeant- Majors;  sergeant-major  of  the  Battalion 
and  acting  adjutant,  June  5th,  1864;  second  lieutenant, 
July  16th,  1864;  first  lieutenant  of  B,  August  1st,  1864; 
captain  of  A,  December  5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

JAMES  McKAY:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Company 
A;  corporal  of  A,  June  5th,  1864;  sergeant;  sergeant- 
major,  November  8th,  1864;  second  lieutenant  of  D, 
January  31st,  1865;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's 
Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  first  lieutenant,  July  llth,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

BENONI  SWEET:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Company 
H;  sergeant  of  C,  June  5th,  1864;  wounded  in  front  of 
Petersburg,  June  18th,  1864;  sergeant-major,  March 
29th,  1865;  second  lieutenant,  July  15th,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

Quartermaster-Sergeants :   ROBERT  W.  SMALL,  as  above. 
THOMAS  E.  JONES:   See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Com- 


562  THE    VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

pany  K;  corporal  of  A,  June  5th,  1864:  quartermaster- 
sergeant,  September  23rd,  1864;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

Commissary-Sergeants:  GEORGE  H.  CHENERY:  See 
Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Commissary-Sergeants;  commis 
sary-sergeant  of  the  Battalion,  June  5th,  1864;  mustered 
out,  January  1st,  1865. 

WARREN  W.  BURTON:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment, 
Company  H;  commissary-sergeant,  January  1st,  1865; 
mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

JOHN  F.  Bo  WEN,  Providence:  See  Roll  of  the  Regi 
ment,  Company  H;  sergeant  of  H,  April  1st,  1865; 
commissary-sergeant,  June  21st,  1865;  second  lieuten 
ant,  July  15th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

Hospital  Steward:  JARVIS  R,  LOPER:  See  Roll  of 
the  Regiment,  Company  I;  hospital  steward,  June  5th> 
1864;  mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

Principal  Musicians:  BERNARD  M.  HALL:  See  Roll 
of  the  Regiment,  Company  D;  private,  B,  June  5th> 
1864;  principal  musician,  September  1st,  1864. 

MICHAEL  McAvoY:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Com 
pany  G;  musician,  C,  June  5th,  1864;  principal  musician, 
September  1st,  1864. 

CAPTAINS. 

HENRY  H.  YOUNG,  ELISHA  H.  RHODES,  as  above. 

EDMUND  F.  PRENTISS:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment, 
First  Lieutenants;  captain,  September  1st,  1864;  honor 
ably  discharged,  wounded,  October  31st,  1864. 

JAMES  A.  BOWEN,  North  Providence:  Second  lieuten 
ant,  Twelfth  Rhode  Island,  October  13th,  1862;  first 
lieutenant,  April  17th,  1863;  captain  of  E,  Second  Rhode- 


CAPTAIN'S.  503 

Island,  September  13th.  1864;  mustered  out,  June  20th, 
18G5. 

STEPHEN  THURBER,  as  above. 

JOHN  A.  JEFFREY,  Brooklyn,  Xew  York:  Captain,  F, 
December  1st,  1864;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's 
Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GEORGE  T.  EASTERBROOKS,  as  above. 

CHARLES  TV.  GLEASON:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment, 
Company  A;  first  sergeant,  A,  June  5th,  1864;  second 
lieutenant,  July  16th,  1864;  brevet  captain,  Septem 
ber  19th,  1864;  first  lieutenant,  October  1st,  1864,  for 
gallant  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Opequan,  September 
19th,  1864;  captain,  G,  January  31st,  1865;  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865. 

CHARLES  E.  PERKINS:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment, 
Company  I;  first  sergeant,  C,  June  5th,  1864;  second 
lieutenant,  September  19th,  1864;  first  lieutenant,  De 
cember  5th,  1864;  captain,  January  31st,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

DAVID  SMALL:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Company 
F;  first  sergeant,  B,  June  5th,  1864;  second  lieutenant, 
October  1st,  1864,  for  gallant  conduct  at  the  battle  of 
Opequan,  September  19th,  1864;  first  lieutenant,  Novem 
ber  29th,  1864;  brevet  captain,  to  date  from  September 
19th,  1864;  captain,  January  31st,  1865;  mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

JOSEPH  POLLARD,  Providence:  Private,  First  Rhode 
Island,  April  18th,  1861;  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  released;  second 
lieutenant,  Twelfth  Rhode  Island,  December  24th,  1862; 
resigned,  May  23rd,  1863;  captain,  H,  Second  Rhode 
Island,  April  22nd,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

WILLIAM  V.  CARR,  Providence:   First  lieutenant,  G, 


564  THE   VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

December  21st,  1864;  captain,  July  llth,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

BENJAMIN  G.  WEST,  Providence:  First  lieutenant, 
D,  October  31st,  1864;  captain,  July  18th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  15th,  1865. 

Brevet  Captains:  THORNDIKE  J.  SMITH,  CHARLES 
W.  GLEASON,  DAVID  SMALL,  as  above. 

FRANK  S.  HALLIDAY:  See  Eoll  of  the  Regiment, 
Company  G;  sergeant,  C,  June  5th,  1864;  first  lieuten 
ant,  E,  September  13th,  1864;  brevet  captain,  April 
Cth,  1865;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April 
6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  May  19th,  1865. 

FIRST   LIEUTENANTS. 

EDMUND  F.  PRENTISS,  as  above. 

SAMUEL  B.  RUSSELL:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  First 
Lieutenants;  honorably  discharged,  September  24th,  1864. 

THORNDIKE  J.  SMITH,  GEORGE  T.  EASTERBROOKS, 
ROBERT  W.  SMALL,  FRANK  S.  HALLIDAY,  CHARLES  \V. 
GLEASON,  BENJAMIN  G.  WEST,  as  above. 

FRANK  M.  GOULD,  Providence:  First  lieutenant,  F, 
November  28th,  1864;  discharged,  by  order  of  War 
Department,  February  28th,  1865. 

DAVID  SMALL,  CHARLES  E.  PERKINS,  WILLIAM  V. 
CARR,  as  above. 

WILLIAM  H.  PERRY:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Com 
pany  I;  sergeant,  C,  June  5th,  1864;  first  sergeant; 
second  lieutenant,  A,  October  1st,  1864;  first  lieutenant, 
F,  January  31st,  1865;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's 
Creek,  April  6th,  1865. 

WILLIAM  H.  BULLOCK:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment, 
Company  B;  corporal,  A,  June  5th,  1864;  sergeant;  first 
sergeant;  second  lieutenant,  C,  December  5th,  1864;  first 


SECOND   LIEUTENANTS.  565 

lieutenant,  January  31st,  18C5;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

ELISHA  ARNOLD:  See  Eoll  of  the  Kegiment,  Company 
I;  corporal,  C,  June  5th,  1864;  first  sergeant;  second 
lieutenant,  B,  November  29th,  1864;  first  lieutenant, 
January  31st,  1865;  cashiered,  April  21st,  1865. 

EGBERT  ROBERTSON,  Jr. :  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment, 
Company  F;  sergeant,  B,  June  5th,  1864;  second  lieu 
tenant,  January  31st,  1865;  first  lieutenant,  March  25th, 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JEREMIAH  TOURJEE:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Com 
pany  H;  corporal,  C,  June  5th,  1864;  second  lieutenant, 

D,  November  29th,   1864;   first  lieutenant,  A,  March 
25th,  1865;   wounded  at  the  battle  of   Sailor's  Creek, 
April  6th,  1865;  resigned,  June  14th,  1865. 

JAMES  K".  GRANGER,  Providence:  First  lieutenant,  H, 
January  31st,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 
JOHN  K.  DORRANCE,  Providence:   Second  lieutenant, 

E,  September  15th,  1864;  first  lieutenant  (not  mustered), 
December  5th,  1864;  brevet  first  lieutenant,  April  2nd, 
1865;  wounded  in  the  attack  on  Petersburg,  April  2nd, 
1865;  mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

JAMES  McKAY,  as  above. 

JOTHAM  WATERMAN:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Com 
pany  F;  corporal,  B,  June  5th,  1864;  sergeant;  first 
lieutenant,  July  llth,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

FREDERIC  A.  BURT,  Providence:  Second  lieutenant, 
H,  February  4th,  1865;  first  lieutenant,  July  15th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SECOND   LIEUTENANTS. 

GEORGE  T.  EASTERBROOKS,  CHARLES  W.  GLEASON, 
JOHN  K.  DORRANCE,  CHARLES  E.  PERKINS,  WILLIAM 

48 


566  THE    VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

H.  PERRY,  DAVID  SMALL,  JEREMIAH  TOURJEE,  ELISHA 
ARNOLD,  WILLIAM  II.  BULLOCK,  as  above. 

GEORGE  B.  PECK,  Jr.,  Providence:  Second  lieutenant, 
G,  December  13th,  1864;  resigned,  June  30th,  1865. 

ROBERT  ROBERTSON,  Jr.,  JAMES  McKAY,  FREDERIC 
A.  BURT,  -as  above. 

THOMAS  BRENNAN:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Com 
pany  G;  corporal,  C,  June  5th,  1864;  sergeant,  January 
1st,  1865;  second  lieutenant,  May  19th,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

BENONI  SWEET,  JOHN  F.  BOWEN,  as  above. 

SILAS  W.  WATSON:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  Com 
pany  C;  corporal,  A,  June  5th,  1864;  sergeant;  first  ser 
geant,  October  1st,  1864;  second  lieutenant,  July  15th, 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

THOMAS  W.  D.  LEWIS:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment, 
Company  I;  corporal,  C,  June  5th,  1864;  sergeant. 
December  16th,  1864;  second  lieutenant,  July  15th, 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GEORGE  MOWRY,  Providence:  Corporal,  D,  October 
31st,  1864;  sergeant,  February  14th,  1865;  second  lieu 
tenant,  July  15th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

WILLIAM  J.  BABCOCK:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment, 
Company  E;  sergeant,  B,  June  5th,  1864;  second  lieu 
tenant,  July  15th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


COMPANY   A.  567 


COMPANY    A. 

[NOTE.  The  date  of  the  transfer  of  the  men,  from  the  Regi 
ment  to  Companies  A,  B  and  C,  is  June  5th,  1864,  unless  other 
wise  stated.] 


ftAPTAIXS:    HENRY  H.  YOUNG,  EDMUND  F.  PREN- 
T")  TISS  and  GEORGE  T.  EASTERBROOKS. 

First  Lieutenants  :  EDMUND  F.  PRENTISS,  CHARLES 
W.  GLEASON  and  JEREMIAH  TOURJEE. 

Second  Lieutenants:  WILLIAM  H.  PERRY  and  SILAS 
W.  WATSON. 

SERGEANTS. 

CHARLES  W.  GLEASON,  WILLIAM  H.  BULLOCK,  as  above. 

PETER  WHELAN:  From  A,  as  sergeant,  June  5th,  1864; 
in  hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 

STEPHEN  A.  BATES:  From  D,  as  sergeant,  June  5th, 
1864;  mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

JAMES  McKAY,  as  above. 

CHARLES  STEWART:  From  B,  as  corporal,  June  5th, 
1864;  sergeant;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SILAS  W.  WATSON,  as  above. 

WARREN  C.  LAWTON:  From  A,  as  corporal,  June 
5th,  1864;  sergeant,  November  8th,  1864;  mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

JAMES  H.  COYLE:  From  A,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal;  sergeant;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's 
Creek,  April  6th,  and  died,  May  2nd,  1865. 

Jonx  XKKXAN:  From  C,  as  private,  June  5th,  1864; 
corporal;  sergeant;  mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 


568  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

CORPORALS. 

WARREN  C.  LAWTON,  JAMES  McKAY,  WILLIAM  !L 
BULLOCK,  CHARLES  STEWART,  as  above.  . 

ANDREW  J.  ALDRICH:  From  A,  as  corporal,  June  5th, 
1864;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SILAS  W.  WATSON,  as  above. 

PATRICK  CAMPBELL:  From  A,  as  corporal,  June  5% 
1864;  mustered  out,  October  19th,  1864. 

EDWIN  D.  KELLOGG:  From  C,  as  corporal,  June  5th,. 
1864;  mustered  out,  November  16th,  1864. 

THOMAS  E.  JONES,  as  above. 

CHARLES  W.  HATHAWAY:  From  K,  as  corporal,  June 
5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JOHN  BURKE:  From  B,  as  private,  June  5th,  1864; 
corporal;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April 
6th,  and  died,  April  30th,  1865. 

OLIVER  W.  BOOTH:  From  C,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek, 
April  6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JAMES  H.  COYLE,  as  above. 

JAMES  H.  HATHAWAY:  From  K,  as  private,  June- 
5th,  1864;  corporal;  mustered  out,  February  27th,  1865. 

ALBERT  H.  ABBOTT:  From  A,  as  private,  June  5th,. 
1864;  corporal;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

ZACCHEUS  CHASE:  From  K,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GEORGE  DEITZ:  From  B,  as  private,  June  5th,  1864; 
corporal;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JOHN  NEENAN,  as  above. 

Musician:  JAMES  SHELLEY:  From  K,  as  musician, 
June  5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  November  5th,  1864. 

Wagoner:  GEORGE  W.  BATES:  From  A,  as  wagoner,. 
June  5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


COMPANY   A.  569 


PRIVATES. 

ABBOTT,  Albert  H.,  as  above. 

ALEXANDER,  Hermann:  From  A;  in  hospital  at  date 
of  muster  out. 

ANGELL,  William  H. :  From  K;  taken  prisoner,  July 
1864;  released,  December  15th,  1864;  mustered  out,  Jan 
uary  29th,  1865. 

ANDERSON,  Henry:  From  A;  taken  prisoner,  July, 
1864;  released;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

ARNOLD,  Nathan:  From  A;  mustered  out,  July  13th,. 
1865. 

BARTON,  Joseph:  From  B;  died,  September  27th,. 
1864,  from  wounds  received  in  action. 

BELLOWS,  Josiah  W. :  From  A;  mustered  out,  Novem 
ber  4th,  1864. 

BERGDOLT,  Charles:  From  B;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

BOYNTON,  George:  From  A;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

BRADY,  Francis  R. :   From  B;  missing  in  action. 

BROADHURST,  Andrew:  FromC;  mustered  out,  August 
1st,  1864. 

BROWN,  Lawrence:   From  A;  deserted,  July,  1864. 

BRUNO,  Nicola:  From  A;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

BURKE,  John,  as  above. 

BURNS,  Samuel:   From  A;  deserted,  June  16th,  1865. 

CALLIGAN,  James:  From  A;  taken  prisoner;  died  at 
Anderson ville,  August  27th,  1864. 

CADY,  William  S. :  From  A;  mustered  out,  June  1st, 
1865. 

CASSIDY,  Thomas:   From  B;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 
48* 


570  THE   VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

CHASE,  Zaccheus,  as  above. 

CLARK,  Michael:  From  B;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

CROCKER,  Charles  E. :  From  A;  taken  prisoner;  un 
certain. 

CROSBY,  John  J. :  From  A;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

CROSSLEY,  Robert:  Uncertain;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

CUSACK,  Bernard,  Ireland:  November  12th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

DAMON,  John  F. :  From  C;  on  furlough  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

DEITZ,  George,  as  above. 

DENICO,  John,  Ireland:  Private, Twelfth  Rhode  Island, 
October  13th,  1862;  to  A,  May  2nd,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

DENNISON,  Charles  W. :  From  B;  in  hospital  at  date 
of  muster  out. 

DONNELY,  John:  From  C;  mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 

DOYLE,  James:   From  B;  deserted,  August  29th,  1864. 

EAGAN,  Michael:  From  C;  mustered  out,  December 
17th,  1864. 

FANNING,  John,  North  Providence:  September  15th, 
1864;  corporal  in  Company  E;  from  E,  June  20th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

FOSTER,  Charles  E. :  From  B;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

FROWNSALING,  Samuel:  From  B;  transferred  to  vet 
eran  reserve  corps,  December  27th,  1864;  mustered  out, 
October  10th,  1865. 

FULLER,  Hiram:  From  C;  discharged,  June  22nd, 
1865,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 


COMPANY    A.  571 

GALVIN,  Martin:  From  B;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

GOLDSMITH,  John  T. :  From  B;  deserted,  June  6th,  1864. 

HANLEY,  James:  From  K;  mustered  out,  January 
19th,  1865. 

HARROP,  Walter:  From  K;  wounded  at  Brightwood, 
July  12th,  1864;  in  hospital  at  date  of  muster  oufc. 

HART,  John:   From  B;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HATHAWAY,  James  H.,  as  above. 

HEADLEY,  Andrew:  From  C;  mustered  out,  Decem 
ber  27th,  1864. 

HENRY,  Thomas:  From  A;  transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  January  6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July 
27th,  1865. 

HOLLAND,  James:  From  C;  mustered  out,  January 
22nd,  1865. 

HOPKINS,  James  L. :  From  B;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

HORTON,  Horace  D. :  From  C;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

JOSLIN,  Marcus  M. :  From  B;  transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  February  23rd,  1865. 

KEHOE,  Olney,  Providence:  Private,  E,  September 
15th,  1864;  transferred  from  E,  and  deserted,  June  20th, 
1865. 

KELLEY,  Mark:  From  C;  deserted,  December  27th, 
1864. 

LIYESEY,  Joseph:  From  A;  mustered  out,  March 
25th,  1865. 

LOWD,  Matthew  J. :  From  B;  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

LOWTHER,  George:  From  C;  mustered  out,  December 
21st,  1864. 


572  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

M  AH  AN,  John :  From  C ;  in  hospital  at  date  of  muster  out 

MANCHESTER,  George  R. :  From  A;  mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

MARTIN,  Owen,  2nd:  From  A;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

MATTESON,  Harrison  G.:  From  A;  mustered  out, 
December  27th,  1864;'  since  died. 

MEAGHER,  Michael:  From  C;  mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

MORAN,  John  H. :  From  K ;  mustered  out,  July  24th,  1865. 

MORAN,  Michael:  From  K;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

MORSE,  Frank  D.:  From  B;  mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 

MOTT,  Christian :  From  B;  mustered  out,  October 
19th,  1864. 

McCANNA,  John:  From  A;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

McOLARENCE,  George  :  From  A;  mustered  out,  March 
llth,  1865. 

McGiNLEY,  William:  From  K;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
'muster  out. 

McQuADE,  Richard:  From  C;  mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

NEENAN,  John,  as  above. 

NOON,  Michael:  From  C;  taken  prisoner,  July,  1864; 
released;  mustered  out,  June  1st,  1865. 

O'HEARN,  Maurice:  From  K;  on  furlough  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

PECKHAM,  Henry  E.:  From  K;  mustered  out,  Decem 
ber  27th,  1864. 

PETERS,  John :  From  C ;  in  hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 
-  RANDALL,  Isaac  C.:  From  K;  died  at  Johnston,  March 
18th,  1865. 


COMPANY    A.  573 

REDMOND,  Peter  J.:  From  K;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

SALISBURY,  Christopher:  From  C;  mustered  out,. 
June  20th,  1865. 

SHELDON,  Henry  E.:  From  A;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

SIMMONS,  Christopher:  From  C;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  in  hospital  at 
date  of  muster  out. 

SMITH,  Duffie:  From  K;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

STEWART,  Martin:  From  B;  transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  May  2nd,  1865. 

SULLIVAN,  Timothy  C. :  From  K;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

SULLY,  Abraham:  From  A;  mustered  out,  May  26th, 
1865. 

THORNTON,  William:  From  C;  mustered  out,  June 
27th,  1865. 

TRIMMER,  William  H. :  From  A;  deserted,  Septem 
ber  27th,  1864. 

VANDERNEIDER,  Wilhelm:  From  C;  in  hospital  at 
date  of  muster  out. 

VATELACAICI,  Giuseppe:  From  K;  died  at  Parke 
Station,  Virginia,  December  27th,  1864. 

VINCENT,  Douglass:  From  K;  deserted,  February 
3rd,  1865. 

VOGEL,  Hermann:  From  K;  on  furlough  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

WATSON,  Thomas  G.:  From  K;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

WEST,  Lorin  S.  H. :  From  K;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

WILSON,  Elliott  E. :  From  A;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 


574  THE   VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

COMPANY    B. 

Captains:    ELISHA  H.  RHODES  and  DAVID  SMALL. 

First  Lieutenants :  GEORGE  T.  EASTERBROOKS,  DAVID 
SMALL  and  ROBERT  ROBERTSON,  Jr. 

Second  Lieutenants:  DAVID  SMALL,  ELISHA  ARNOLD 
and  ROBERT  ROBERTSON,  Jr. 

SERGEANTS. 

DAVID  SMALL,  ROBERT  ROBERTSON,  Jr.,  as  above. 

HORACE  T.  VIALL:  From  E,  as  sergeant,  June  5th, 
1864;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

WILLIAM  J.  BABCOCK,  as  above. 

ELISHA  J.  WHITFORD:  From  E,  as  corporal,  June 
5th,  1864;  sergeant;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

FRANCIS  B.  FISHER:  From  F,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  sergeant;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GEORGE  E.  POTTER:  From  D,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  sergeant,  April  18th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

CORPORALS. 

BENJAMIN  BLACKMAN:  From  D,  as  corporal,  June 
5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  December  20th,  1864. 

ELISHA  J.  WHITFORD,  JOTHAM  WATERMAN,  as  above. 

JAMES  B.  WRIGHT:  From  E,  as  corporal,  June  5th, 
1864;  mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

JASON  P.  RATHBUN:  From  E,  as  corporal,  June  5th, 
1864;  mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

JOHN  MCCAFFREY:  From  F,  as  corporal,  June  5th, 
1864;  mustered  out,  October  12th,  1864. 

JOHN  R.  WILLIAMS:  From  K,  as  corporal,  June  5th, 
1864;  mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 


COMPANY    B.  575 

JOB  TANNER:  From  B,  as  corporal,  June  5th,  1864; 
died,  of  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
July  16th,  1864. 

JOHN  G.  GRINNELL:  From  E,  as  corporal,  June  5th, 
1864;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Opequan,  September 
19th,  and  died,  October  5th,  1864. 

THOMAS  PARKER:  From  D,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Opequan,  September 
19th,  1864;  corporal;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SAMUEL  B.  KNIGHT:  From  F,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal,  November  1st,  1864;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

JOSEPH  GRIBLO:  From  E,  as  private,  June  5th,  1864; 
corporal,  November  20th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

CHARLES  A.  GODFREY:  From  F,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal,  December  22nd,  1864;  mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

ISRAEL  D.  SIMMONS:  From  F,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal,  April  18th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

RUFUS  SHIPPEE:  From  E,  as  private,  June  5th,  1864; 
corporal;  wounded  in  the  attack  on  Petersburg,  April 
2nd,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

Musicians:     THOMAS  RUSSELL:   From  E,  as  musician, 
June  5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 
*  JAMES  FLYNN:   From  F,  as  private,  June  5th,  1864; 
musician;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

PRIVATES. 

ARNOLD,  William  A. :  From  F;  died  in  hospital  at 
David's  Island,  New  York,  July  7th,  1864. 

BACON,  Charles  E. :  From  F;  discharged,  May  5th,  1865. 


576  THE   VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

BAKER,  Lewis  W. :  From  F;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

BARSTOW,  Samuel:  From  F;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

BARTLETT,  Jencks:  From  K;  mustered  out,  August 
1st,  1864. 

BECKWITH,  David  H. :  From  F;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

BRAILEY,  Timothy  J. :  From  D ;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

BROMBY,  Henry:  From  F;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

BROWN,  Francis  J. :  From  D ;  mustered  out,  Novem 
ber  30th,  1864. 

BURDICK,  Samuel:  From  E;  transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  September  16th,  1864;  mustered  out, 
August  15th,  1865. 

CALLIHAN,  Timothy:  From  F;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

COOKE,  Charles  K. :  From  E ;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

CRANDALL,  John  P.:  From  F;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

CRANSHAW,  Robert:  From  F;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

CROMPTON,  Robert:  From  F;  mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

CROWELL,  George  W. :  From  F ;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

CUNNINGHAM,  Augustus  N. :  From  H ;  to  serve  two 
years  and  one  month  from  July  6th,  1864. 

DAGNAN,  Thomas:  From  E;  died  at  David's  Island, 
New  York,  June  16th,  1864. 

DEAN,  Simeon:  From  F;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


COMPANY   B.  577 

DONNELLY,  Michael:  From  F;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

DOWD,  William  L. :  From  F;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

DRAKE,  John:  From  F;  in  hospital  at  date  of  muster 
out. 

FITZPATRICK,  James:  From  D;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

FLYNN,  James,  as  above. 

FRIERY,  John:  From  D;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GALLIGAN,  James:  From  F;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

GARBATE,  John:  From  F;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

GLOVER,  Andrew:  From  F;  mustered  out,  Jun.e  20th, 
1865. 

GODFREY,  Charles  A.,  as  above. 

GREENE,  Esbon  A. :  From  F;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

GREENE,  George  N. :  From  F;  taken  prisoner,  July, 
1864;  released;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GRIBLO,  Joseph,  as  above. 

GUNN,  George  G. :  From  D;  mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 

HALL,  Bernard  M.,  as  above. 

HALL,  Royal  F. :  From  D;  reported  missing  at  the 
battle  of  Opequan,  September  19th,  1864;  mustered  out, 
June  20th,  1865. 

HAMILTON,  Andrew:  From  E;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

HANDY,  Daniel  A.:  From  F;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

HIGQINS,  James:   From  E;  mustered  out,  November 
21st,  1864. 
49 


578  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

HOWARD,  John :  From  D;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HURLBURT,  Charles:  From  F;  transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  December  20th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July 
31st,  1865. 

JEANNERET,  Numa:  From  E;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

JOHNSTONE,  Eobert  L. :  From  F;  mustered  out,  Sep 
tember  12th,  1865. 

JOSLIN,  Charles  E. :  From  F;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

KENDALL,  Charles  H. :  From  E;  mustered  out,  Novem- 
ber  21st,  1864. 

KENYON,  Joel  B. :  From  D;  wounded  before  Peters 
burg,  June  18th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July  7th,  1865. 

KIERNAN,  Michael:  From  F;  transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  November  30th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July 
25th,  1865. 

KILBURN,  Frank  P. :  From  E;  mustered  out,  Novem 
ber  4th,  1864. 

KNIGHT,  Samuel  B.,  as  above. 

LEWIS,  Charles  L. :  From  D;  mustered  out,  December 
12th,  1864. 

LYONS,  John  W. :  From  F;  mustered  out,  October 
12th,  1864. 

MANCHESTER,  James  D. :  From  E;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

MARCEE,  Eduardo:  From  D;  taken  prisoner  at  Snick- 
'er's  Gap,  July  20th,  1864;  released;  mustered  out,  Sep 
tember  27th,  1865. 

MARTIN,  Joseph:  From  F;  taken  prisoner,  June,  1864; 
released,  February  28th,  1865;  mustered  out,  May  23rd, 
1865. 

MEELEY,  Michael:  From  D;  wounded  in  skirmish, 
March  25th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


COMPANY    B.  579 

MOSELEY,  Albert:  FromD;  mustered ont, July  13th,  1865. 

MUKPIIY,  Henry:   From  E;  discharged,  on  surgeon's 
certificate,  May  15th,  1865. 

McALPix,  Thomas:   From  F;  mustered  out,  October 
12th,  1864. 

McDoxouGH,  Patrick:   From  E;  mustered  out,  No 
vember  20th,  1864. 

McKAY,  Thomas,  1st:   From  F;  mustered  out,  Octo 
ber  12th,  1864. 

McKAY,  Thomas,  2nd:  From  F;  taken  prisoner,  June, 
1864;  died  at  Andersonville,  July,  1864. 

McMAHON,  Peter:  From  E;  mustered  out,  November 
21st,  1864. 

McNAMARA,  Joseph:  From  D;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

Me  WILLIAMS,  William:  From  E;  mustered  out,  No 
vember  20th,  1864. 

NEGRAVILLE,  Henri:  From  E;  mustered  out,  June 
1st,  1865. 

NORTHUP,  Perry  A. :  From  F;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

OATLEY,  Thomas  W. :  From  F;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

PARKER,  Thomas,  as  above. 

PACK  YE,  Theodore:  From  E;  transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  December  20th,  1864. 

POTTER,  George  E.,  as  above. 

REINHARDT,  Rudolph:  From  D;  transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  December  20th,  1864. 

RICHARDSON,  George  H. :  From  F;  mustered  out,  July 
7th,  1865. 

ROBBIXS,  Richard:  From  E;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  May  31st, 
1865. 


580  THE   VETERAN"   ORGANIZATION. 

ROURKE,  John:   From  E;  discharged  from  hospital. 

SHEA,  John:   From  F;  mustered  out,  August  29th, 
1865. 

SHERMAN",  James  A.:   From  E;   mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

SHERMAN,  William  A.:   From  D;  mustered  out,  No 
vember  14th,  1864. 

SHIPPEE,  Rufus,  as  above. 

SIMMONS,  George  A.:   From  D;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

SIMMONS,  Israel  D.,  as  above. 

SIMPSON,  Arthur:  From  D;  mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 

SKELLEY,  Daniel:  From  E;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

SMITH,  Marvin:  From  D;  discharged,  May  15th,  1865, 
on  surgeon's  certificate. 

STAINBURN",  George:  From  F;  mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

TILLSON,  James  S. :  From  E;  mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

WADE,  Barton  J. :  From  B;  mustered  out,  August 
1st,  1864. 

WADE,  James  A.:  From  D;  second  lieutenant,  Third 
Cavalry,  June  24th,  1864;  not  discharged;  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  and  died,  April 
8th,  1865. 

WARREN,  Josiah  S. :  From  D;  mustered  out,  Novem 
ber  14th,  1864. 

WHIPPLE,  Ethan,  Jr.:  From  D;  wounded  in  front  of 
Petersburg,  March  27th,  1865;  amputation  of  leg;  died 
at  Washington,  April  5th,  1865. 

WILCOX,  Caleb:  From  D;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Opequan,  September  10th,  1864;  died,  June  8th,  1865. 


COMPANY   C.  581 

WILSON,  Francis:  From  E;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

WRIGHT,  Charles:  From  E;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

YOST,  Edward:  From  E;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

YOUNG,  George:  From  F;  mustered  out,  June  20th,. 
1805. 


COMPANY    C. 

Captain:    CHARLES  E.  PERKINS. 

First  Lieutenants:  SAMUEL  B.  RUSSELL,  CHARLES  E. 
PERKINS  and  WILLIAM  H.  BULLOCK. 

Second  Lieutenants:  CHARLES  E.  PERKINS  and  WIL 
LIAM  II.  BULLOCK. 

SERGEANTS. 

CHARLES  E.  PERKINS,  WILLIAM  H.  PERRY,  ELISHA 
ARNOLD,  as  above. 

JOHN  LAWRENCE:  From  G,  as  sergeant,  June  5th, 
1864;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Opequan,  September 
19th,  186-4;  transferred  to  veteran  reserve  corps,  January 
18th,  1865;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  Septem 
ber  6th,  1865. 

FRANK  S.  HALLIDAY,  as  above. 

JOSEPH  M.  WOOD:  From  I,  as  sergeant,  June  5th, 
1864;  wounded  at  the  battle  near  Camp  Brightwood, 
July  12th,  1864;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  cert  ilk-ate, 
January  1st,  1865. 

BENONI  SWEET,  as  above. 

JAMES  A.  KING:  From  H,  as  corporal,  June  5th. 
49* 


582  THE    VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

1864;  sergeant,  December  16th,  1804;  first  sergeant;  died 
in  hospital  at  Philadelphia,  May  15th,  1865. 

THOMAS  TV.  D.  LEWIS,  THOMAS  BRENNAN,  as  above. 

THEODORE  E.  MULLER:  From  I,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal;  sergeant,  April  1st,  1865;  mustered  out,. 
July  13th,  1865. 

CHARLES  H.  JORDAN:  From  G,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal;  sergeant,  May  5th,  1865;  mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

CORPORALS. 

LINDSAY  ANDERSON:  From  D,  as  corporal,  June  5th,. 
1864;  mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

THOMAS  BRENNAN,  as  above. 

JAMES  MOFFITT:  From  I,  as  corporal,  June  5th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

GUSTAVE  A.  PERSECHE:  From  I,  as  corporal,  June 
5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

ELISHA  ARNOLD,  as  above. 

ROBERT  BINNS:  From  H,  as  corporal,  June  5th,  1864; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  February  17th,  1865. 

JAMES  A.  KING,  JEREMIAH  TOURJEE,  as  above. 

CASSANDER  KINGMAN:  From  H,  as  corporal,  June 
5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  November  3rd,  1864. 

LEWIS  E.  ANGELL:  From  I,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal;  mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

PETER  FREDERICK:  From  G,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal,  January  1st,  1865;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

HORATIO  N.  BALLOU:  From  I,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek, 
April  6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  August  15th,  1865. 

JAMES  H.  BROPHEY:  From  I,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal;  mustered  out,  February  17th,  1865. 


COMPANY    C.  58$ 

PATRICK  CARROLL:  From  I,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek, 
April  Gth,  and  died  at  Annapolis,  Maryland,  April  16th, 
1865. 

PARDON  T.  JONES,  East  Greenwich:  Private,  July 
9th,  1863;  from  draft  rendezvous,  uncertain;  corporal; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JAMES  AV.  POTTER:  From  I,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JEAN  LARCARICIIE:  From  G,  as  private,  June  5th, 
1864;  corporal ;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

Musicians:  JOHN  CURRY:  From  H,  as  musician,  June 
5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MICHAEL  McAvoy,  as  above. 

GILES  E.  GREENE,  Jr. :  From  G,  as  musician,  June 
5th,  1864;  courtmartialled  and  sentenced  to  loss  of  pay 
and  allowances. 

RICHARD  T.  HIGGINS:  From  I,  as  musician,  June 
5th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

PRIVATES. 

ALDRICH,  Wilson:  From  I;  died  in  hospital  at  Wash 
ington,  July  7th,  1864. 

ANGELL,  Lewis  E.,  as  above. 

ASSELEN,  Hermann:  From  G;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

BALLOU,  Horatio  N.,  as  above. 

BLACKMAK,  Wheaton  0.:  From  G;  discharged,  on 
surgeon's  certificate,  June  llth,  1865. 

BROPHEY,  James  H.,  as  above. 

BURTON,  Warren  W.,  as  above. 

CARROLL,  Patrick,  as  above. 

CHAFFEE,  Samuel:   From  G;  taken  prisoner  at  Snick- 


584  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

er's  Gap,  July  31st,  1864;  released;  mustered  out,  March 
26th,  18G5. 

CLARKSON,  John:  From  H;  mustered  out,  July  8th,1865. 

CLIFFORD,  Rice:  From  H;  wounded  at  "the  battle  of 
Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  discharged,  on  surgeon's 
certificate,  June  14th,  1865. 

COLE,  Ithamar  0.:  From  G;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

COLVIN,  Matthew  L. :  From  I;  transferred  to  veteran 
reserve  corps,  January  21st,  1865;  discharged,  July  3rd, 
1865. 

CONNELL,  William,  England:  July  14th,  1863;  from 
draft  rendezvous;  in  hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 

DIAZ,  Antonio:  From  H;  deserted,  November  12th, 
1864. 

DONOVAN,  Henry:  From  H;  mustered  out,  December 
6th,  1864. 

DURFEE,  Nathan  L. :  From  I;  mustered  out,  August 
1st,  1864. 

DYER,  James:  From  H;  mustered  out,  August  1st,  1864. 

FREDERICK,  Peter,  as  above. 

GANNON,  Patrick:  From  I;  mustered  out,  December 
16th,  1864. 

GORTON,  Edward:  From  I;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

GORTON,  Nathan  D. :  From  I;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

GRAEFF,  Yost:  From  H;  deserted,  August  10th,  1864. 

GREENE,  William  W. :  From  H;  mustered  out,  July 
10th,  1865. 

GREY,  John:  From  H;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  cer 
tificate,  March  18th,  1865. 

HADLEY,  Ambrose:  From  H;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 


COMPANY    C.  585 

HATCH,  Solomon  D. :  From  G;  mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

JENNISON,  George  A. :  From  H;  taken  prisoner,  June 
12th,  1864;  exchanged,  December  15th,  1864;  mustered 
out,  June  20th,  1865. 

JOHNSON,  Russell  B. :  From  H;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

JONES,  Pardon  T.,  as  above. 

KEATING,  Robert:  From  G;  mustered  out,  August 
1st,  1864. 

KILPATRICK,  William,  Scotland:  September  3rd,  1864; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  June  28th,  1865. 

KNIGHT,  Christopher  1ST.:  From  H;  mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

LAPHAM,  Alphonso:  From  H;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

LARCARICHE,  Jean,  as  above. 

LEWIS,  Thomas:  From  H;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Opequan,  September  19th,  and  died,  September  20th, 
1864. 

LOOMIS,  John  F. :  From  I;  mustered  out,  October 
20th,  1864. 

LUDDO,  Thomas:  From  G;  taken  prisoner,  June,  1864; 
uncertain. 

LUNDY,  John:  From  H;  taken  prisoner,  June  12th,. 
1864;  paroled;  mustered  out,  June  24th,  1865. 

MANSFIELD,  Thomas:  From  I;  deserted;  in  Fort  Colum 
bus  at  date  of  muster  out. 

MONAGHAN,  Edward,  England:  December  27th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MORAN,  James:  From  H;  taken  prisoner,  June  12th,. 
1864;  paroled;  mustered  out,  January  23rd,  1865. 

MUNROE,  Allen  M.:  From  G;  on  furlough  at  date  of 
muster  out. 


586  THE    VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

MUNROE,  William  H. :  From  G;  mustered  out,  Jan 
uary  24th,  1865. 

MUNSON,  William:  From  I;  deserted,  August  10th,  1864. 

MURPHY,  John:  From  H;  in  hospital  at  date  of  mus 
ter  out. 

McADAMS,  James:  From  G;  mustered  out,  December 
27th,  1864. 

Me  ARTHUR,  Thomas:  From  G;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

McCANN,  John:  From  H;  deserted,  August  10th,  1864. 

MCDONALD,  John :  From  H;  discharged,  July  3rd,  1865. 

McKENNA,  James:  From  I;  mustered  out,  October 
23rd,  1864. 

NAFF,  Stanislaus:  From  H;  mustered  out,  July  21st, 
1865. 

NEEDHAM,  John  W. :  From  I;  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Opequan,  September  19th,  1864;  mustered  out,  May 
14th,  1865. 

PERRY,  George:  From  I;  mustered  out,  October  22nd, 
1864. 

PHILLIPS,  John:  From  H;  deserted,  December  3rd, 
1864. 

POTTER,  James  W.,  as  above. 

PROCTOR,  Thomas  B.,  Newport:  September  7th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

PRUE,  David:  From  I;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865; 
died,  March  llth,  1874,  at  Woonsocket. 

RAID,  George:  From  I;  taken  prisoner,  May  7th,  1864; 
released;  in  hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 

REMARK, Wilhelm:  From  H;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

ROBERTSON,  George:  From  H;  in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

ROBERTSON,  William:   From  I;  wounded  in  the  attack 


COMPANY    C.  58? 

on  Petersburg,  June  18th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1805. 

RODMAN,  Elisha,    South   Kingstown:    August   2?th, 
1864;   mustered   out,  June   20th,  1865. 

RUSSELL,  James:   From  C;  mustered  out,  June  14th, 
1865. 

RYAN,  John:  From  H:  discharged  from  hospital,  Jan 
uary  1st,  1865. 

SCHAA,  Hans:   From  I;   taken   prisoner,  June  12th, 
1864;  released;  mustered  out,  June  8th,  1865. 

SCHMIDT,  Carl:   From  I;  deserted,  August  10th,  1864. 
SHERMAN,  George  A.:   From  H;  mustered  out,  Feb 
ruary  9th,  1865. 

SIMMONS,  George  N. :   From  I;  mustered  out,  October 
22nd,  1864. 

SMITH,  William  F. :    From  I;   in  hospital  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

STEERE,  James  F. :   From  I;  mustered  out,  October 
22nd,  1864. 

STEERE,  Jesse:  From  I ;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 
THOMAS, William:   From  H ;  mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 

THURSTON,  Benjamin  R. :  From  I ;  mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

VEATCH,  Charles:  From  H;  deserted,  August  10th, 
1864. 

VOGEL,  Matthew,  Germany:  August  16th,  1864;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

.    WALLING,  Benjamin  G. :   From  I;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

WARBURTON,  Thomas:  From  H,  transferred  to  vet 
eran  reserve  corps,  May  8th,  1865;  mustered  out,  Sep 
tember  19th,  1865. 

WEBBER,  Frank:   From  G;  deserted,  July  13th,  1804. 


•588  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

WEEKS,  Charles  W. :  From  I;  deserted,  August  10th, 
1864;  returned,  December  20th,  1864;  deserted,  June 
4th,  1865. 

WEST,  Leonard  P. :  From  G;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865.  . 

WHIPPLE,  Marcus  R. :  From  I;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

WILLIS,  William:  From  I;  on  furlough  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

WILSON,  John  G. :  Transferred  to  veteran  reserve 
corps,  January  3rd,  1865. 

WILSON,  William:  From  H;  mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 

WOOD,  Thomas  0.:  From  I;  mustered  out,  December 
21st,  1864. 

WRIGHT,  James  J.:  From  H;  mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 


COMPANY    D. 

Captains:  STEPHEN  THURBER  and  BENJAMIN  G. 
WEST. 

First  Lieutenants:  BENJAMIN  G.  WEST  and  JAMES 
McKAY. 

Second  Lieutenants :  JEREMIAH  TOURJEE,  JAMES  MC 
KAY  and  GEORGE  MOWRY. 

[NOTE.  The  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  of  Com 
pany  D  were  all  mustered  in,  October  31st,  1864.] 

SERGEANTS. 

EDWIN  F.  STEERE,  Smithfield:  Sergeant;  discharged, 
June  2nd,  1865. 


COMPANY   D.  581) 

OREX  S.  MOWRY,  Providence:  See  Roll  of  the  Regiment, 
Company  I;  sergeant;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

FREDERIC  A.  WHITE,  Providence:  Sergeant;  mustm-d 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JAMES  REDDING,  Providence:  Sergeant;  wounded  in 
the  attack  on  Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865;  mustered  out, 
June  10th,  1865. 

HIRAM  N.  SWIFT, Wareham,  Massachusetts:  Sergeant; 
dishonorably  discharged,  August  14th,  1865. 

GEORGE  MOWRY,  as  above. 

GEORGE  AV.  BALLOU,  Providence:  Private;  corporal; 
sergeant;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

CORPORALS. 

LEWIS  S.  GARDINER,  Cranston:  Corporal;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

EDWARD  D.  YALLETT,  Johnston:  Corporal;  died,  Jan 
uary  12th,  1865. 

PETER  HACKETT,  Olneyville:  Corporal;  mustered  out, 
July  15th,  1865. 

ALBERT  LANGLEY,  East  Providence:  Corporal;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GEORGE  MOWRY,  as  above. 

DAVID  K.  W.  BRIGGS,  Providence:  Corporal;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JOHN  HASLAM,  Cranston:  Corporal;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  in  hospital  at 
date  of  muster  out. 

PATRICK  it.  BRADY,  Ireland:  Corporal;  reduced;  in 
arrest  at  date  of  muster  out. 

GEORGE  W.  BALLOU,  as  above. 

XI-LSOX  BARBER,  St.  Albans,  Vermont:  Private:  cor 
poral;  wounded  in  the  attack  on  Petersburg.  April  2nd, 
1865;  mustered  out,  June  15th,  1865. 

50 


590  THE    VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

CHARLES  VvT.  BROWN,  Providence:  Private;,  corporal; 
wounded  in  the  attack  on  Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865; 
discharged,  June  6th,  1865. 

FRANK  A.  BROWN,  Fall  River,  Massachusetts:  Private; 
corporal;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

THOMAS  McCABE,  Ireland:  Private;  corporal:  mus- 
'tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MICHAEL  MARTIN,  Providence:  Private;  corporal; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

DAVID  O'BRIEN,  Springfield,  Massachusetts:  Private; 
corporal;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April 
6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

THOMAS  RANDALL,  Johnston:  Private;  corporal;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

CHARLES  WATERMAN,  Providence :  Private;  corporal; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

Musicians :  DANIEL  •  McKENNA,  Cumberland :  Mu 
sician;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GEORGE  E.  THOMPSON,  Providence:  Musician;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

PRIVATES. 

BALLOU,  George  W.,  as  above. 

BARBER,  Nelson,  as  above. 

BARNES,  Leander  P.,  Providence:  Wounded  in  the 
attack  on  Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865;  mustered  out, 
June  8th,  1865. 

BRANAGAN,  Peter,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

BROOKS, William,  Providence :  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

BROWN,  Charles  W.,  as  above. 

BROWN,  Edgar  D.,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  June 
30th,  1865. 

BROWN,  Frank  A.,  as  above. 


COMPANY    D.  591 

CHEEK,  George  H.,  England:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

CLARKE,  James,  England :  Wounded  in  the  attack  on 
Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  l()th, 
1865. 

COBB,  Charles  B.,  Hadley,  Massachusetts:  Mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

CONROY,  Dennis,  Ireland:  Wounded  at  the  hattle  of 
Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  May  22nd, 
1865. 

COOMBS,  Charles,  Wrentham,  Massachusetts :  In  hos 
pital  at  date  of  muster  out. 

CRAWFORD,  Francis  D.,  Warwick:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

DEMPSEY,  John,  Providence :  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

DRURY,  James  W.,  Providence :  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

DUGAX,  Patrick,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 1865. 

GARRIGAN,  James,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

GORMLEY,  Jeremiah,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

GRAY,  Daniel,  Providence :  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

GREEXHALGH,  James,  New  York  city:  Mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

HACKETT,  Charles,  Jr.,  Providence:  Wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Sailors  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  mustered  out, 
June  llth,  1865. 

HADE,  Michael,  Ireland :  Mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HAINES,  Benjamin  T.,  Providence:  Wounded  in  the 
attack  on  Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865;  mustered  out, 
May  30th,  1865. 


592  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

HANTIN,  Felix,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  Julyl3th,1865. 
HARVEY,  George  W.,  Smithfield  :   Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

HENSHAW,  William  H.,  Providence:  Discharged,  on 
surgeon's  certificate,  May  15th,  1865. 

HOPKINS,  Ira  W.,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

HUGHES,  Andrew,  New  York  city:  Mustered  out,. 
July  13th,  1865. 

HUGHES,  John,  New  York  city:  Wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  mustered  out, 
June  6th,  1865. 

HUNTLEY,  Giles,  Norwich,  Connecticut:  Mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JORDAN,  William,  Providence:  Died  at  Baltimore,. 
February  10th,  1865. 

KENT,  Charles  E.,  Attleboro',  Massachusetts:  Mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

KETTLE,  Stephen  H.,  West  Greenwich:  Mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

KIERNAN,  Garrett,  Ireland :  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

KILKENNY,  William,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

LOMAS,  William,  Smithfield:  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

MARTIN,  Michael,  as  above. 

MATHEWSON,  William  R.  T.,  Providence:  Mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MURPHY,  John,  Providence:  Wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

MURRAY,  John,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  June  6th, 1865. 

McCABE,  Thomas,  as  above. 


COMPANY    D.  593 

McCANN,  James,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

McCANNA,  James,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July 
loth,  1865. 

MCCARTHY,  James,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

MCCAUGHEY,  Edward  B.,  Providence:  Mustered  out, 
June  23rd,  1865. 

McCuLLOUGH,  Roger,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  July 
10th,  1865. 

MCELROY,  John,  Providence:  Killed  at  the  battle  of 
Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865. 

MCELROY,  Michael,  Johnston:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

NOLAN,  Henry,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

OLNEY,  George  W.,  Smithfield:   Courtmartialled. 

O'BRIEN,  David,  as  above. 

PHETTEPLACE,  Jason,  North  Providence:  Mustered 
out,  June  6th,  1865. 

PROCTOR,  Asahel  F.,  Cranston:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

RANDALL,  Thomas,  as  above. 

ROBERTS,  James,  Ireland:  Wounded,  April  6th,  1865, 
at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek;  mustered  out,  July  Tth, 
1865. 

RODGERS,  Henry,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

ROURKE, Patrick, Ireland:  Mustered  out,  Julyl3th,1865. 

RUSSELL,  Alexander,  Tauntorr,  Massachusetts:  Mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SHERIDAN,  Thomas,  Attleboro',  Massachusetts:  In 
hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 

SHERMAN,  Henry,  Millbury,  Massachusetts:  Mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 
50* 


594  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

SUNDERLAND,  Alvin  T.,  Attleboro',  Massachusetts: 
Mustered  out,  July  13th,  18G5. 

TATE,  John,  Providence:  Wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Sailor's  Creek,  April  Gth,  18G5;  discharged,  on  surgeon's 
certificate,  June  llth,  1865. 

TIERNAY,  Alexander,  Providence :  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

WATERMAN,  Charles,  as  above. 

WELSH,  John,  Ireland :  Mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

WELSH,  Patrick  C.,  Cranston:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

WINDSOR,  Martin,  Glocester :  Mustered  out,  July  13th,, 
1865. 


COMPANY    E. 

Captain:    JAMES  A.  BOWEN,  brevet,  FRANK  S.  HAL- 
LIDAY. 

First  Lieutenant:    FRANK  S.  HALLIDAY,  brevet,.  JOHN 
K.  DORRANCE. 

Second  Lieutenant:    JoHtf  K.  DORRANCE. 


[NOTE.  The  officers  and  men  of  Company  E  were  all  mustered 
in,  September  15th,  1864.] 

SERGEANTS. 

JAMES  SEAMANS,  Scituate:  Corporal,  First  Rhode 
Island,  April  18th,  186f  ;  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  21st,  1861;  released,  May,  1862;  ser 
geant,  E,  September  15th,  1864;  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865. 

EDWIN  S.  HERRICK,  Providence:  Sergeant;  mustered 
out,  June  20th,  1865. 


COMPANY   E.  595- 

FRANK  G.  BRAYTON,  Warren:  Sergeant;  mustered 
out,  June  20th,  1865. 

THOMAS  R.  COOK,  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts:  Ser 
geant;  mustered  out,  June  20th,  18G5. 

WILLIAM  WATHEY,  Ireland :  Sergeant;  mustered  out, 
June  20th,  1865. 

FRANK  ALEXANDER,  Providence  :  Corporal;  sergeant; 
mustered  out,  June  23rd,  1865. 

JAMES  A.  BUSHEE,  Cranston  :  Private;  sergeant;  mus 
tered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

CORPORALS. 

WILLIAM  ROWLEY,  Jr.,  Crompton:  Corporal;  mus 
tered  out,  June,  20th,  1865. 

ALBERT  W.  WHITE,  Smithfield:  Corporal;  mustered 
out,  June  26th',  "1865. 

ALBERT  L.  WOOD,  Providence:  Corporal;  mustered 
out,  June  20th,  1865. 

BENJAMIN  F.  BARKER,  Portsmouth:  Corporal;  mus 
tered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

FRANK  ALEXANDER,  as  above. 

DANIEL  H.  HAG  AN,  Warwick:  Corporal;  mustered 
out,  June  20th,  1865. 

GEORGE  L.  NYE,  Providence :  Corporal;  mustered 
out,  June  20th,  1865. 

WILLIS  P.  GREY,  Providence:  Corporal;  died  at  City 
Point,  April  2?th,  1865. 

SAYLES  H.  ANGELL,  Glocester:  Private;  corporal; 
mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

ROBERT  J.  BURTON,  Cranston:  Private;  corporal; 
mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

JOHN  FANNING,  North  Providence:  Private;  cor 
poral:  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April 
6th,  1865;  see  A. 

JAMES M A NSELL, Providence:  Private;  corporal;  wound- 


596  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

ed  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  and  died, 
April  8th,  1865. 

ALEXANDER  MILLS,  Canada :  Private,  Twelfth  Rhode 
Island,  October,  1862 -July,  1863;  private,  E,  Septem 
ber  15th,  1864;  corporal;  killed  in  the  attack  on  Peters 
burg,  April  2nd,  1865. 

ARIEL  P.  HORTON,  Providence:  Private;  corporal; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

WILLIAM  PIERCE,  Jr.,  Foster:  Private;  corporal;  mus 
tered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

WILLIAM  EAILTON,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  Private; 
corporal;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April 
6th,  1865;  in  hospital  at  date  of  muster  out;  since  died. 

ELISHA  S.  SHERMAN,  Warwick:  Private;  corporal; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

Musicians:  ARCHIBALD  DEVLIN,  Olneyville:  Musician; 
mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

JOHN  WING,  East  Greenwich :  Musician;  mustered 
out,  June  20th,  1865. 

Wagoner:  JAMES  W.  RANDALL,  Duxbury,  Massachus 
etts:  Wagoner;  mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

PRIVATES. 

ALLEN,  Charles  E.,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

ANGELL,  Preserved,  Smithfield:  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

ANGELL,  Sayles  H.,  as  above. 

BALLOU,  John,  Providence :  Mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 


COMPANY    E.  597 

BEATTIE,  Frank,  Newport :  Mustered  out,  June  20th, 
18G5. 

BLAKE,  William  F.,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  Mustered 
out,  June  20th,  1865. 

BURTON,  Robert  J.,  as  above. 

BUSHEE,  James  A.,  as  above. 

CAIN,  Michael  F.,  North  Providence:  Wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  Gth,  1865;  mustered 
out,  June  17th,  1865. 

CARTER,  Thomas,  England :  Mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 

CHURCH,  George  L.,  Bristol,  Maine:  Mustered  out, 
June  20th,  1865. 

COLSON,  Charles,  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts:  De 
serted. 

CRAMMER,  Robert,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

CURTIS,  Alfred  L,  Smithfield:  Mustered  out,  July 
10th,  1865. 

DAVIS,  Thomas,  Ireland:  Discharged,  on  surgeon's 
certificate,  June  14th,  1865. 

DEVLIN,  Charles  H.,  Charlestown,  Massachusetts: 
Wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  June  2nd,  1865. 

DEWHURST,  James  W.,  Providence:  Killed  at  the 
battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865. 

DRAKE,  Alphonso,  East  Douglass,  Massachusetts: 
Mustered  out,  June  26th,  1865. 

ECCLES,  William  H.,  New  Ipswich,  New  Hampshire: 
Mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

ERSKINE,  Thomas  W.,  Cranston:  Mustered  out,  June 
26th,  1865. 

ESLECK,  Charles  A.,  Newport:  Mustered  out,  June 
9th,  1865. 


598  THE   VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

FANNING,  John,  as  above. 

FORD,  Philip,  North  Providence :  Mustered  out,  May 
23rd,  18G5. 

GALLUP,  William  II.,  Johnston:  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

GARTLAND,  James,  Blackstone,  Massachusetts:  Mus 
tered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

HART,  Lewis  B.,  Springfield,  Massachusetts :  Wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  mustered 
out,  June  26th,  1865. 

HATHAWAY,  Edwin  C., Warwick:  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

HOLMES,  George  0.,  Pawtuxet:  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

HOPKINS,  Dudley,  Charlestown :  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

HORR,  Joseph  H.,  Pawtucket:  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

HORTON,  Albert  P.,  Eehoboth,  Massachusetts:  Mus 
tered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

HORTON,  Ariel  P.,  as  above. 

KEHOE,  Olney:   See  A. 

LEACH,  Leander  W.,  Cranston:  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

LONGSTREET,  William,  New  Jersey:  Mustered  out, 
June  20th,  1865. 

MANSELL,  James,  as  above. 

MATTESON,  Daniel,  Scituate  :  Mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 

MILLS,  Alexander,  as  above. 

MINER,  Lewis,  Woodstock,  Vermont:  Mustered  out, 
June  20th,  1865. 

MITCHELL,  John,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  Juno 
20th,  1865. 


COMPANY    E.  599 

MOXROE,  George  L.,  Providence:   Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  18G5. 

MURRAY,  Andrew,  Ireland:   Mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 

McDoNOUGii,  James,  England :   Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

McGiNLEY,  John,    Providence:   Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

McQuEENEY",  Patrick,  Ireland:    Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

NY~E,    Robert   E.,    Providence:    Mustered   out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

PIERCE,   James   E.,    Lonsdale:   Mustered   out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

PIERCE,  William,  Jr.,  as  above. 

PIERCE,  William  A.,  Foster:  Mustered  out,  June  20th, 
1865. 

PLACE,  Elisha,  Chestnut  Hill,  Connecticut:  Mustered 
out,  June  20th,  1865. 

RAILTON,  William,  as  above. 

RANDALL,  Herbert,  North  Providence :   Mustered  out, 
June  20th,  1865. 

RANDALL,  John  M.,  Coventry:  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

REILLY,  Peter,  New  York  city:   Discharged,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate,  May  17th,  1865. 

RYAN,Peter,Providence:  Mustered  out,  June  20th,1865. 

SHAW,  James   G.,  Providence:    Mustered  out,  June 
21st,   1865. 

SHELDON,  George  G.,  Warwick:   Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

SHERMAN,  Elisha  S.,  as  above. 

SHE  KM  A  N,  Gersham  E. ,  Exeter :   Mustered  out,  August 
19th,  1865. 


'600  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

TAYLOR,  Thomas  R.,  Newport:  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  18G5. 

THAYER,  George  M.,  Providence :  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1805. 

TIFFT,  James  B.,  Fall  Eiver,  Massachusetts:  Mustered 
•out,  June  20th,  1865. 

WATSON,  George  F.,  Cranston:  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

WELLS,  Henry  T.,  Plainfield,  Connecticut:  Mustered 
out,  June  20th,  18G5. 

WHELAN,  Bernard,  Woonsocket :  Mustered  out,  June 
20th,  1865. 

WOOD,  Calvin  S.,  East  Providence:  Mustered  out, 
June  20th,  1865. 

ZUILL,  Henry,  England :  Mustered  out,  July  21st,  1865. 


COMPANY    F. 

Captain :    JOHN  A.  JEFFREY. 

First  Lieutenants:  FRANK  M.  GOULD  and  WILLIAM: 
H.  PERRY. 

[NOTE.  The  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  of  Com 
pany  F  were  all,  with  but  one  exception,  mustered  into  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  December  10th,  1864.] 

SERGEANTS. 

CHARLES  E.  TURNER,  England:  Sergeant;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

THOMAS  McKAY,  Ireland :  Sergeant;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  sergeant;  in 
hospital  at  date  of  muster  out. 


COMPANY   F.  601 

WILLIAM  H.  COLVIN,  Coventry:  Sergeant;  on  fur 
lough  at  date  of  muster  out. 

LEWIS  L.  SAYLES,  Smithfield:  Sergeant;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

ROBERT  O'NEILL,  Providence:  Sergeant;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GEORGE  H.  BUCKLIN,  Providence:  Private;  sergeant; 
wounded  in  the  attack  on  Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

CORPORALS. 

FREDERIC  N.  DEVOLL,  Fall  River,  Massachusetts: 
Corporal;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

FRANCIS  McTiERNEY,  Providence:  Corporal;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SAMUEL  ASHTON,  England:  Corporal;  mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

WILLIAM  B.  GREENE,  Coventry:  Corporal;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GEORGE  E.  ELLIOTT,  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire: 
-Corporal;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JOHN  READ,  Providence:  Corporal;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

STEPHEN  SHAW,  Providence:  Corporal;  died,  May 
22nd,  1865. 

STEPHEN  PHETTEPLACE,  Smithfield:  Corporal;  mus 
tered  out,  August  5th,  1865. 

EMUEL  BIERE,  Switzerland:  Private;  corporal,  Feb 
ruary  1st,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

THOMAS  A.  COGHILL,  Providence:  Private;  corporal; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JAMES  T.  GLANCEY,  Providence:    Private;   corporal; 
wounded  in  the  attack  on  Petersburg,  April  2nd,  and 
died,  April  3rd,  1865. 
51 


602  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

GEORGE  A.  LINDALL,  Coventry:  Private;  corporal; 
mustered  out,  June  29th,  1865. 

Musicians:  PETER  HALEY,  Providence:  Musician; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JOHN  P.  SULLIVAN,  Ireland:  Musician;  dishonorably 
-discharged,  May  22nd,  1865. 

CHARLES  D.  BUXTON,  Graf  ton,  Massachusetts:  Pri 
vate;  musician;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

Wagoner:  JOHN  LANEY,  Uxbridge,  Massachusetts: 
Wagoner;  mustered  out,  May  31st,  1865. 

PRIVATES. 

ALLEN,  George  W.,  East  Greenwich:  Mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

ARNOLD,  Silas,  Arlington,  Massachusetts:  Mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

BIERE,  Emuel,  as  above. 

BRACKETT,  Edwin,  Thompson,  Connecticut:  Decem 
ber  18th,  1864;  on  furlough  at  date  of  muster  out. 

BUCKLIN,  George  H.,  as  above. 

BURGESS,  Nathaniel,  Cranston:  Mustered  out,  June 
21st,  1865. 

BUXTON,  Charles  D.,  as  above. 

CAHOONE,  Alonzo,  Apponaug:  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

CAHOONE,  Hiram  G.,  Scituate:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

CHAPMAN,  John,  Smithfield:  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

COGHILL,  Thomas  A.,  as  above. 

CRANDALL,  George  R.,  Apponaug:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

DROWN,  William  N.,  Augusta,  Maine:  Mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 


COMPANY    F.  603 

DUG  AN,  Dennis,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

EATON,  John  H.,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

ESSEX,  John,  Coventry:  Mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

FARRAR,  Horace  0.,Woonsocket:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

FAULS,  James,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July  13th,. 
1865. 

FAY,  James,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July  13th,. 
1865. 

FISH,  Clark  W.,  East  Greenwich:  Mustered  out,  June 
15th,  1865. 

GALLIGAN,  Andrew,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

GALLEAR,  John,  Providence :  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

GIBSON,  Daniel,  Portland,  Maine:  Died,  June  30th, 
1865. 

GLANCE Y,  James  T.,  as  above. 

GOFF,  Patrick,  Pawtucket :  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

HARLAND,  Thomas,  New  York  city:  Deserted,  Decem 
ber  19th,  1864. 

HAY,  Matthew,  Scotland:  Mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HAY,  Robert,  Scotland:  Mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

HOLLIHAN,  Peter,  Ireland:  On  furlough  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

HOPKINS,  William  H.,  Scituate:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

KELLEY,  Daniel,  Providence:  On  furlough  at  date  of 
muster  out. 

KEN  YON,  Charles,  Providence:  Wounded  in  the  attack 


604  THE   VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

on  Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,, 
1865. 

L  A  VIN,  Thomas,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,July  13th,1865. 

LEWIS,  William,  East  Greenwich:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

LINDALL,  George  A.,  as  above. 

LOWELL,  George  H.,  Milton,  Massachusetts:  Mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MADISON,  Eobert,  Coventry:  Mustered  out,  July  13th,. 
1865. 

MAINTREE,  Louis,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  June- 
25th,  1865. 

MAJOR,  William  H.,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

MELVILLE,  Charles  K.,  Newport:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

MOFFITT,  George  M.,  Killingly,  Connecticut:  Mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MOFFITT,  John  P.,  Killingly,  Connecticut:  Wounded 
in  the  attack  on  Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  10th,  1865. 

Mo  WRY,  Charles  F.,  Cranston:  Died  at  Alexandria^ 
June  13th,  1865. 

MULLER,  Thomas,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

MULLER,  Prescott,  Glocester:  Mustered  out,  June  23rd,. 
1865. 

MURRAY,  William,  Hartford,  Connecticut:  Mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

McCABE,  John,  Providence:  Killed  at  the  battle  of 
Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865. 

McCARTY,  Benjamin,  England:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

McELROY, Patrick,  Warwick:  Wounded  in  the  attack  on 


COMPANY    F.  605 

Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865;   mustered  out,  July  6th,. 
1865. 

McGAY,  John,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July  13th,. 
1865. 

PETTEE,  William  N.,  Wrentham,  Massachusetts:  Mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

PHILLIPS,  Owen,  Ireland:  Mustered  out,  July  13th,. 
1865. 

RALPH,  John,  Providence  :  Wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  discharged,  on  surgeon's 
certificate,  June  14th,  1865. 

ROUPE,  Joseph,  France:  Mustered  out,  July  13th,. 
1865. 

RUNNELLS,  William,  Griswold,  Connecticut:  Deserted,. 
December  19th,  1864. 

RUSSELL,  Samuel,  Providence:  Died  at  Fairfax  Semi 
nary,  June  18th,  1865. 

SHEAN,  John,  Ireland:   Mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

STRANGE,  Henry  A.,  Pawtucket:  Died  in  field  hos 
pital,  February  25th,  1865. 

THOMAS,  James  A.,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  June 
28th,  1865. 

TILLSON,  Horace,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

TINGLE Y,Willard  F.,Wrentham,  Massachusetts:  Mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

TRAINOR,  Patrick,  Providence:  Mustered  out,  June 
16th,  1865. 

TUCKER,  Thomas  C.,  Xew  Bedford,  Massachusetts: 
Wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  June  9th,  1865. 

T UPPER,  Charles   R.,  Providence:    Wounded  at   the 
battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  and  died,  April  8th, 
1865. 
51* 


606  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

WARD,  Edwin  F.,  ^Portland,  Maine:  Mustered  out, 
July  13th,  1865. 

WEST,  Henry,  England :  Mustered  out,  June  29th,  1865. 

WILKINS,  Nathan,  Worcester,  Massachusetts:  Mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


COMPANY    G. 

Captain  :     CHARLES  W.  GLEASON. 
First  Lieutenant:     WILLIAM  V.  CARR. 
Second  Lieutenant :     GEORGE  B.  PECK,  Jr. 

SERGEANTS. 

GEORGE  F.  OLDENBURG,  Germany :  Sergeant,  January 
5th,  1865;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April 
6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

DAVID  G.  JONES,  England :  Sergeant,  December  1st,. 
1864;  on  furlough,  JuJy  13th,  1865. 

ISAIAH  B.  MONROE,  Providence:  Sergeant,  February 
8th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

STEPHEN  A.  BARRY,  Providence :  Sergeant,  January 
20th,  1865;  discharged. 

WILLIAM  A.  AYMER,  Nova  Scotia :  Sergeant,  January 
17th,  1865;  discharged. 

JOEL  F.  CROCKER,  Middleboro',  Massachusetts:  Pri 
vate,  January  18th,  1865;  sergeant;  mustered  out,  Juno 
23rd,  1865. 

CORPORALS. 

PATRICK  DOHERTY,  Ireland  :  Corporal,  December  8th, 
1864;  discharged. 


COMPANY    G.  607 

JAMES  H.  WATERMAN,  Providence :  Corporal,  January 
3rd,  18G5;  mustered  out,  July  5th,  1865. 

CHARLES  H.  FULLER,  Valley  Falls :  Corporal,  January 
10th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HENRY  R.  MILLER,  \Vurwick:  Corporal,  December 
17th,  1864;  wounded  in  the  attack  onfPetersburg,  April 
2nd,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JOHN  MCMILLAN,  Pawtucket :  Corporal,  January  21st,. 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JAMES  CRICHTON,  Scotland :  Corporal,  January  llth,. 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GEORGE  S.  BOUTWELL,  Providence :  Corporal,  January 
20th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JAMES  KENNEDY,  Ireland:  Private,  January  ISth,. 
1865;  corporal;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

CHARLES  W.  STEARNS,  Douglass,  Massachusetts :  Pri 
vate,  January  6th,  1865;  corporal;  mustered  out,  July 
13th,  1865. 

Musicians:  VIRGINIUS  H.  ARNOLD,  Warwick:  Mu 
sician,  January  18th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

WILLIAM  E.  YOUNG.  Providence :  Musician,  Decem 
ber  28th,  1864;  mustered  out,£July  13th,  1865. 

Wagoner :  STEPHEN  T.  MOORE,  Coventry :  Wagoner, 
December  26th,  1864;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

PRIVATES. 

AMOO,  uncertain :  January  10th,  1865;  mustered  out, 
September  1st,  1865. 

BAILEY,  John,  Scotland:  January  17th,  1865;  died  at 
New  Haven,  Connecticut,  February  20th,  1865. 

BATTEY,  Henry  L.,  Xorth  Oxford, ^Massachusetts : 
January  5th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


608  THE    VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

BRIGGS,  Job,  South  Kingstown:  January  20th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

BROOKS,  Howard  F.,  New  York  city:  January  21st, 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

BURKE,  Davis  C.,  Providence:  January  21st,  1865; 
discharged,  March  22nd,  1865,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

CLARK,  Elkanah,  Canton,  Massachusetts:  January 
14th,  1865;  mustered  out,  June  9th,  1865. 

COLLINS,  Timothy,  Ireland:  January  13th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

CONNER,  John,  Ireland:  January  10th,  1865;  deserted, 
February  6th,  1865. 

COONEY,  James,  Providence:  December  12th,  1864; 
mastered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

COYLE,  Patrick,  Ireland:  January  13th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

CROCKER,  Joel  F.,  as  above. 

DEVLIN,  John,  Pawtucket:  January  5th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

DONNELLY,  Francis,  Ireland:  January  9th,  1865;  on 
furlough,  July  13th,  1865. 

DONOHUE,  John,  Providence:  January  9th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

EAGAN,  John,  Providence:  December  27th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

FARLEY,  James,  Ireland:  January  17th,  1865;  dis 
charged,  February  10th,  1865,  on  surgeon's  certificate. 

FITZGERALD,  Michael, Woonsocket:  January  9th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

FORSYTH,  Matthew,  Belfast,  Ireland:  January  17th, 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GILLESPIE,  James  B., \Vatertown,  Massachusetts:  Jan 
uary  llth,  1865;  discharged,  April  13th,  1865,  on  sur 
geon's  certificate. 


COMPANY    G. 

GLANCEY,  John,  Providence:  November  llth,  1864;. 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1805. 

GOFF,  James,  Providence:   January  7th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HALL,  Isaac  B.,  Johnston:  January  19th,  1865;  de~ 
sorted,  June  13th,  1865. 

HAYES,    Michael,    Belfast,    Maine:    December  22nd,. 
1864;   mustered   out,  June   16th,  1865. 

HE ALY,  John,  Scotland :  January  7th,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HEALY,  Peter,  Ireland:  December  30th,  1864;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JENNISON,  Thomas  L.,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  Jan 
uary  19th,  1865;  mustered  out,  August  14th,  1865. 

JOHNSON,  Almon  W.,  "Warwick:  January  llth,  1865;. 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JONES,  Idwall  M.,  Wales:  December  5th,  1864;  dis 
charged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  March  22nd,  1865. 

JORDAN,  Andrew,  Providence:  January  16th,  1865* 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  February  10th,  1865. 

JORDAN,  Edward,  Providence:  January  2nd,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

KENNEDY,  James,  as  above. 

KING,  James  K.,  Smithfield:  January  10th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

LAHEY,  John, Worcester,  Massachusetts:  January  18thr 
1865;  deserted,  January  23rd,  1865. 

LEA,  Darius,  Rhode  Island:  January  7th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

LEE,  Jerry,  Ireland:  January  21st,  1865;  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th,  1865;  mustered 
out,  June  8th,  1865. 

LINCOLN,  William  A. ,  Providence :  J  anuary  1 1  th,  1 865  ; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


610  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

LORING,  Thomas,  Eastport,  Maine:  December  loth, 
1864;  in  hospital,  July  13th,  1865. 

MALONE,  James,  Worcester,  Massachusetts:  January 
9th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865, 

MARTIN,  John,  Ireland :  January  17th,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MITCHELL,  William  R.,  Coventry:  December  30th, 
1864;  mustered  out,  July  21st,  1865. 

MONROE,  Levin  C.,  Providence:  January  21st,  1865; 
on  furlough,  July  13th,  1865. 

MONROE, William  A.,  Hopkinton :  January  21st,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MOONE,  Bun-ill  G.,  Coventry:  January  12th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

O'BRIEN,  John  A.,  Ireland:  December  17th,  1864; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

PARENT,  Joseph  A.,  Lawrence,  Massachusetts:  Jan 
uary  4th,  1865;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek, 
April  6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  June  9th,  1865. 

PARKER,  William  C.,  Smithfield :  January  19th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

PERRY,  Horatio  N.,  Lincoln:  January  13th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

PHILLIPS,  Joseph,  Germany:  January  16th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

ROBINSON,  Albert,  Worcester,  Massachusetts:  Jan 
uary  21st,  1865;  deserted,  February  1st,  1865. 

ROCKWOOD,  Jotham  C.,  Milford,  Massachusetts:  Jan 
uary  7th,  1865;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  Jan 
uary  31st,  1865. 

ROURKE,  Patrick,  Ireland:  January  3rd,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  18o:>. 

RYAN,  Patrick  II.,  Providence:  January  llth,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


COMPANY    G.  Oil 

SAGERSOX,  Thomas,  Ireland:  January  21st,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SAYLES,  John  Q.  A.,  Scituate:  January  llth,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SLOCUM,  Henry,  Warwick:  January  21st,  1865;  died 
at  Xew  Haven,  Connecticut,  February  4th,  1865. 

SMITH,  James,  Providence :  January  2nd,  1865;  killed 
in  the  attack  on  Petersburg,  April  2nd,  1865. 

SMITH,  William,  Xew  Haven,  Connecticut:  January 
llth,  1865;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  January 
31st,  1865. 

SPAULDIXG,  Thomas  A.,  Haverhill,  Massachusetts: 
January  14th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

STEARXS,  Charles  W.,  as  above. 

SULLIVAX,  James,  Boston,  Massachusetts:  January 
l?th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SCLLIYAX,  John,  Ireland:  January  llth,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SULLIVAX,  Lawrence,  Ireland:  January  16th,  1865; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  February  10th, 
1865. 

SULLIYAX.  Timothy,  Ireland:  January  26th,  1865; 
died  at  City  Point,  April  23rd,  1865. 

SWEENEY,  Daniel,  Ireland:  January  20th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

TARBOX,  Benjamin,  East  Greenwich:  February  6th, 
1865;  died  in  hospital.  March  3rd,  1865. 

TAYLOR,  Abraham,  Xew  York  city:  January  20th, 
1865:  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

TEAHEX,  Daniel,  Ireland:  January  2nd,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

TISDALE,  George  A.,  Exeter:  January  17th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

TITUS,  James  W.,  Danielsonville,  Connecticut:   Jan- 


'612  THE   VETERAN"   ORGANIZATION. 

uary  llth,  1865;  discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate, 
January  31st,  1865. 

TUCKER,  Charles  W.,  Oxford,  Connecticut:  January 
7th,  1865;  died  at  New  Haven,  February  1st,  1865. 

TUCKER,  Walter  A.,  Scituate:  January  5th,  1865; 
discharged,  on  surgeon's  certificate,  January  31st,  1865. 

WELLS,  James  D.,  Warwick:  January  16th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

WESTGATE,  Edwin  W.,  Swanzey,  Massachusetts:  Jan 
uary  16th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

WILLIAMS,  John  H.,  Providence:  January  10th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

WILLIS,  Gilbert,  Wickford:  January  llth,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

WILLIS,  Stephen  T.,  North  Kingstown:  January  llth, 
1865;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6th, 
1865;  in  hospital,  July  13th,  1865. 


COMPANY    H. 

Captain:    JOSEPH  POLLARD. 

First  Lieutenant:    JAMES  N.  GRANGER. 

Second  Lieutenant:    FREDERIC  A.  BURT. 

SERGEANTS. 

ORVILLE  P.  JONES,  Foster:  Sergeant,  January  21st, 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

EGBERT  NEVIN,  Scotland:  Sergeant,  March  10th, 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

PETER  A.  MARLE,  Lynn,  Massachusetts:  Sergeant, 
February  25th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


COMPANY   H.  613 

\7iRGiNius  VANGUISON,  New  York  city:  Sergeant, 
March  18th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JOHN  F.  BOWEN,  as  above. 

WILLIAM  C.  BOSWORTH,  Rehoboth,  Massachusetts: 
Corporal,  February  8th,  1865;  sergeant;  mustered  out> 
July  13th,  1865. 

WILLIAM  E.  RHODES,  Providence:  Private,  April  llth, 
1865;  corporal;  sergeant;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

CORPORALS. 

CALEBS.  MILLER,  Massachusetts:  Corporal,  February 
4th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JOSEPH  W.  ALDRICH,  North  Dighton,  Massachusetts: 
Corporal,  January  23rd,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th, 
1865. 

WILLIAM  C.  BOSWORTH,  as  above. 

JAMES  DONNELLY,  Lancaster,  England:  Corporal, 
March  18th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

CHARLES  C.  NYE,  Providence:  Corporal,  February 
1st,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

WILLIAM  H.  HEATH,  Providence:  Corporal,  April 
13th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JOHN  H.  TYLER,  Providence:  Corporal,  April  llth, 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

WILLIAM  E.  RHODES,  as  above. 

RICHARD  I.  CHAPPELL,  Providence:  Private,  April 
12th,  1865;  corporal;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

EDWARD  KENNEY,  Providence:  Private.  March  llth, 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

Wagoner:  BENONI  A.  KING,  Warwick:  Wagoner, 
February  27th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

PRIVATES. 

ADAMS,  William  F.,  Massachusetts:  April  llth,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


614  THE   VETERAN    ORGANIZATION. 

BAILEY,  Theodore  F.,  Providence:  April  7th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

BISHOP,  Paris  D.,  Scituate:  February  24th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

BROWN,  John  A.,  Providence:  April  12th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

BROWN,  William  F.,  Pawtucket:  February  25th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

BRUCE,  Daniel,  uncertain:  February  22nd,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  June  27th,  1805. 

BUHPUS,  Henry  F.,  Wareham,  Massachusetts:  Feb 
ruary  13th,  1865;  mustered  out,  June  27th,  1865. 

BUTLER,  James  D.,  Providence:  February  10th,  1865; 
died,  June  3rd,  1865,  in  hospital. 

CAPWELL,  James  B.,  Coventry:  April  4th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

CARROLL,  Edward,  Providence:  April  2nd,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

CHAPPELL,  Richard  I.,  as  above. 

COFFEE,  Eugene,  uncertain:  April  13th,  1865;  de 
serted,  June  21st,  1865. 

CONNORS,  Patrick,  uncertain:  February  2nd,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

Dow,  Charles  W.,  Lynn,  Massachusetts:  April  llth, 
1865;  deserted,  June  24th,  1865. 

DUFF,  Thomas,  uncertain:  April  llth,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

DUKE,  Oliver,  uncertain:  February  2nd,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

DUNHAM,  Charles  E.,  Smithfield:  April  llth,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

DURGAN,  Peter,  uncertain:  April  llth,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

EARLE,   John,    Somerset,    Massachusetts:     February 


COMPANY   H.  615 

18th,  1865;  died  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  March 
7th,  1865. 

FERGUSON,  John,  uncertain:  February  14th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

FRANKLIN,  Mason  B.,  Swansey,  Massachusetts:  April 
13th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

GAGE,  James  B.,  Pawtucket:  February  6th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  June  21st,  1865. 

GLOVER,  Frederick,  Concord,  New  Hampshire:  Jan 
uary  19th,  1865;  mustered  out,  June  29th,  1865. 

GREENE,  Smith,  uncertain:  February  20th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HANAWAY,  Edward,  uncertain:  April  llth,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HARNEY,  Dennis,  -  uncertain:  February  18th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HAYDEN,  Charles  M.,  uncertain:  April  12th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HEALEY,  John,  uncertain:  February  18th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HERRICK,  Alvin,  uncertain:  March  6th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HOLLAND,  Edward,  uncertain:  April  6th,  1865;  de 
serted,  June  23rd,  1865. 

HOLT,  John,  uncertain:  April  10th,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

HUNT,  Newton,  East  Providence:  April  13th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

IRONS,  Joseph  G. ,  North  Providence:  March  3rd,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

JOHNSON,  Caleb,  Coventry:  April  13th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  June  26th,  1865. 

KEAVEN'EY,  John,  uncertain:  March  2nd,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


616  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

KENNEY,  Edward,  as  above. 

KENNEY,  George,  uncertain:  February  27th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

KILLDUFF,  James,  uncertain:  April  12th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

LEONARD,  John,  uncertain:  February  6th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

LEWIS,  Alvin  F.,  Johnston:  April  10th,  1865;  in  hos 
pital,  July  13th,  1865. 

LYONS,  Edward,  Providence:  April  llth,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MANCHESTER,  Thomas  A.,  Providence:  April  13th> 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MITCHELL,  Stephen  D.  W.,  Coventry:  March  15th, 
1865;  deserted,  June  23rd,  1865. 

MULLIGAN,  Thomas,  uncertain:  April  13th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MURPHY,  Daniel,  uncertain:  April  13th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MURPHY,  David,  uncertain:  April  12th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MURPHY,  Francis,  uncertain:  April  6th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

McCABE,  Sylvester,  uncertain:  April  2nd,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

MCCARTNEY,  Robert  A.,  Central  Falls:  February  7th, 
1865,  mustered  out,  June  20th,  1865. 

MCDONALD,  Thomas,  uncertain:  April  13th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

McGrETRiCK,  Dominic,  uncertain:  March  1st,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

O'NEiL,  William,  uncertain:  April  12th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  June  16th,  1865. 

PATTERSON,  Thomas,  Providence:  February  3rd,  1865; 
in  hospital,  July  13th,  1865. 


COMPANY   H.  617 

PECKHAM,  Thomas,  Seekonk,  Massachusetts:  February 
6th,  1865;  mustered  out,  July  llth,  1865. 

PERKINS,  Harry  D.,   Providence:    April  12th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,   1865. 

RILEY,  John,  uncertain:   February  28th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

RHODES,  William  E.,  as  above. 

ROGERS,  Abner  M.,  Coventry:   February  14th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

ROYLE,  John  T.,  New  York  city:   April  12th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SCHEENY,  Michael,  uncertain:   February  25th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SCHENCK,   James,    uncertain:    February   17th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SHEA,  James,  Pawtucket:  March  29th,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SMITH, William,  uncertain:  April  llth,  1865;  deserted, 
May  25th,  1865. 

SPAULDING,  George  A.,  uncertain:   April  13th,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SPELHAN,  Patrick,  uncertain:   April  llth,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

SPENCER,  Richard  A.,  uncertain:   February  19th,  1865; 
died  at  New  Haven,  February  26th,  1865. 

STAPLES,  Simeon  J.,  Smithfield:   February  llth,  1865; 
mustered  out,  June  14th,  1865. 

THAYER,  George  P.,  Pascoag:   March  6th,  1865;  mus 
tered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

YAUGHAN,  William,  East  Greenwich:   February  17th, 
1865;  mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 

VENCE,   William,    uncertain:     February   16th,    1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 
52* 


618  THE   VETERAN   ORGANIZATION. 

WINSOR,  John,  uncertain:  April  4th,  1865;  mustered 
out,  July  13th,  1865. 

WOISARD,  Joseph,  uncertain:  February  22nd,  1865; 
mustered  out,  July  13th,  1865. 


ERRATA. 
The  reader  is  requested  to  make  the  following  corrections: 

Page  17,  line  32nd.     Read  "James  C.  Nichols,"  instead  of  "Jos 
eph  C.  Nichols." 

Page  45,  line  20th.     Read  "as  assistant,  Hospital  Steward  Cal- 
der,"  instead  of  "Assistant  Hospital  Steward  Calder." 

Page  46,  line  27th.     Read  "Corporal  S.  A.  Newman,"  instead 
of  "Corporal  Newman." 

Line  29th,  and  wherever  else  it  may  occur.     Read  "Easter- 
brooks,"  instead  of  "  Easterbrook. " 

Page  99,  line  27th.     Read  "Barker,"  instead  of  "Baker." 
Page  105,  line  7th.     Read  "  A.  T.  Potter  of  I." 
Same  line.     Read  "Barker,"  instead  of  "Baker." 
Page  131,  line  19th.     Read  "  Gregg,"  instead  of  "  Grey." 
Page  137,  line  12th.     Read  "39th,"  instead  of  "29th." 
Page  145,  line  21st.     Read  "second  lieutenant  in  the  Third 
Cavalry,"  instead  of  "first  lieutenant  in  the  Fifth." 
Page  178,  line  8th.     Read  "  Nason,"  instead  of  "  Mason." 
Page  216,  line  27th.     Read  "A.  T.  Potter,"  instead  of  "A.  F. 
Potter." 

Page  240,  line  llth.    Read  "  6th,"  instead  of  "  7th." 
Same  page,  line  13th.    Read  "  Sergeant  Holland  of  E." 
Page  270,  last  line.     Read  "  corporal,"  instead  of  "  private." 
Page  271,  line  llth.    Read  "  Stewart,"  instead  of  "  Stuart." 
Page  278,  line  31st.     Read  "  Whelan,"  instead  of  "  Whalen." 
Page  322,  line  29th.    Read  ' '  Joseph  Gaible, "  instead  of  ' '  Joseph 
Grille." 

Page  409,  line  19th.     Read  "Company  C,"  instead  of  "Com 
pany  B." 

Pages  494,  575,  577.     Read  "Joseph  Gaible,"  instead  of  "Jos 
eph  Griblo." 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


A,Company,  organized,! 7;  before  Rich 
mond,  93;  in  Roll,  445;  Veterans,  278; 
in  Roll,  567. 

A  CHANGE  OP  SCENE,  285. 

Abbott,  A.  H.,  Corp.,  362. 

Aborn,  James,  1st  Lieut.,  mustered  in 
and  appointed  quartermaster,  17;  re 
signed,  14(i. 

Aborn,W.  W.,  hospital  department,  217. 

Adams,  A.  E.,  Quartermaster-Serg't, 
mustered  in,  18;  promoted.  58. 

Adams,  George  W.,  Capt.,  at  Marye's 
Heights,  165. 

Adams.  Hiram,  Corp.,  61;  disch'd,  159. 

Aldrich.A.  J., Corp. ,158:  wounded,  240. 

Aldrich,  J.  W.,  Corp..  357. 

Aldrich,  Wilson,  In  Memoriam.  412. 

Alexander.  F.,  Corp.,  303;  serg't,  362. 

AFTER  SALEM  HEIGHTS,  179. 

Alger,  Matthew.  In  Memoriam,  393. 

Allen,  George  M.,  In  Memoriam,  391. 

Allison.  W.  F.,  Corp.,  46. 

Ames,  William,  2nd  Lieut.,  17;  pro 
moted,  59, 102;  passed  over,  141 ;  trans 
ferred  and  subsequent  service,  145. 

Anderson,  L.,  Lance-Corp.,  158;  Corp., 
159;  disch'd,  322. 

Andrews,  Asa,  In  Memoriam,  408. 

Andrews,  E.  A..  In  Memoriam,  408. 

Angeli,  S.  H.,  Corp..  862. 

Anniss,  W.  W.,  Corp.,  18;  promoted, 
104. 

Anthony,  Maior,  with  searching  party, 
66. 

Antietam,  battle  of,  109. 

Applegate,  Capt.,  kindness  of,  49. 

Appomattox  Court  House,  surrender 
of  Lee  at.  355. 

Arlin.  J.  P.,  Col.,  pall-bearer,  69. 

Armstrong,  James,  In  Memoriam,  387. 

Army  of  the  Potomac,  McDowell  com 
mands,  27;  at  Bull  Run.  32;  McClel- 
lan  organizes  anew,  47:  divided  into 
corps,  65;  near  Richmond.  87;  re 
treats.  90;  evacuates  Peninsula,  98; 
Burnside  commands,  120:  re-organ 


ized,  122;  atFalmouth,  123;  at  Fred- 
ericksburg,  125;  repulsed.  133;  in 
winter  quarters.  134;  Hooker  com 
mands,  134;  at  Chancellorsville.  161; 
losses  of,  176;  Meade  commands, 186; 
at  Gettysburg,  192;  at  Centreville, 
207:  at  Mine  Run,  210:  Grant's  head 
quarter*  with,  231 ;  opens  campaign, 
233;  in  the  Wilderness,  234;  toward 
BpotteylraniaJMO;  to  the  North  Anna, 
253;  to  the  Pamunkey,  255:  pres 
sure  on  Lee,  260;  to  the  south  of  the 
James,  280;  invests  Petersburg,  324; 
attacks  Petersburg,  339  ;  captures 
Lee  and  his  army.  355. 

Arnold.  Capt.,  commander  of  U.  S- 
battery  at  Bull  Run.  37. 

Arnold.  Elisha,  Corp.,  217,  279;  pro 
moted.  322:  cashiered,  361. 

Arnold,  L.  A0  In  Memoriam,  412. 

Arnold,  Ohu-y,  Col.,  A.  D.  C.,  with 
searching  party.  66;  at  Bull  Run,  67; 
pall-bearer,  69;  commands  escort,265; 
at  reception  of  F,  269. 

Arnold,  S.  G..Lt.-Gov., with  battery,  14. 

Arnold.  Stephen  J.,  1st  Lieut,  17; 
wounded,  38;  resigns,  56. 

Arnold,  W.  A.,  In  Memoriam.  402. 

Arnold,  W.  A.  Capt..  Battery  A,  270. 

Artillery,  R.  L,  First  Light,  organized. 
57;  Batteries  A,  B,  C,  D,  G,  H,  at 
Fredericksburg,  133:  B,  G,  at  Marye's 
Heights.  165;  A,  B,  C,  E,  G,  at  Gettys 
burg,  200. 

Ash  ton,  Samuel,  Corp.,  320. 

Atwood,  G.  B.,  In  Memoriam,  396. 

Austin,  D.  C.,  Corp..  47. 

Aymer,  W.  A.,  Serg't,  333. 

B,Company.organized,17:  before  Fred 
ericksburg.  127;  in  Roll,  455;  Vet 
erans.  278;  in  Roll,  574. 

Babcock,  W.  J.,  Corp.,  158,  278;  pro 
moted.  362. 

Batrlev,  C.  E.,  Corp.,  19;  In  Memoriam. 
407. 


620 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Bailey,  J.,  In  Memoriam,  423. 

Baker,  L.,  Corp.,  19. 

Baker,  S.  C.,  Corp.,  47. 

Balch,  J.  P.,  Gen.,  commands  escort, 
265;  address,  270. 

Ballou,  G.  W.,  Corp.,  wounded,  352: 
Serg't,  362. 

Ballou,  H.  N.,  Corp.,  362. 

Ballou,  L.  W.,  Hon.,  presides,  269. 

Ballou,  Sullivan,  Major,  appointed,  21 ; 
killed,  34;  character,  40;  resolution 
of  sympathy,  49;  search  for  body  of, 
65;  In  Memoriam,  372. 

Barber,  N.,  Corp.,  wounded,  352;  pro 
moted,  362. 

Barker,  B.  F.,  Corp.,  303. 

Barker,  T.  II.,  Corp.,  104;  died,  99, 105; 
In  Memoriam,  411. 

Barry,  S.  A.,  Sery't,  333. 

Bartholomew,  S.  B.,  address  of,  269. 

Bartlett,  J.  R.,  Hon.,  23. 

Bartlett,  Reuben,  In  Memoriam,  396. 

Barton,  Joseph,  In  Memoriam,  391. 

Barton,  W.  T.,  Gen.,  commands  escort, 
265. 

Bassett,  Col.,  commands  brigade,  317; 
in  grand  review,  360. 

Bates,  Clark  E.,  Serg't,  17;  orderly,  46; 
promoted,  156;  mortally  wounded, 
178;  In  Memoriam,  382. 

Bates,  S.  A.,  Corp.,  158;  promoted, 
217,  278  ;  disch'd,  322. 

Battery  of  First  R.  L,  at  Washington, 
14;  in  Shenandoah  Valley,  27. 

Battery  of  Second  R.  I.,  raised,  16; 
organized,  17;  at  Bull  Run.  32;  sev 
ered  from  Regiment.  57;  subsequent 
service  of,  59. 

Battery  G,  5th  U.  S.  Artillery,  Second 
supports,  2&3. 

Battles,  Bull  Run,  32;  on  the  Penin 
sula,  75,  77;  Fair  Oaks,  88;  Seven 
Days.  94;  Second  Bull  Run,  107; 
Chantilly,  107;  South  Mountain,  109; 
Antietam.  109;  Fredericksburg,  125; 
Chancellorsville,  161;  Marye's  Heights, 
165;  Salem  Heights. 167;  Gettysburg, 
189  ;  Rappahannock  Station,  208  ; 
Mine  Run,  210  ;  Wilderness,  2:34  ; 
Spottsylvania,  243;  Cold  Harbor,  257; 
Opequan.296;  Cedar  Creek,  308;  Five 
Forks,  340;  Sailor's  Creek,  350. 

Belden,  L.  C.,  Corp.,  61. 

Bellows,  II.  W.,  Rev.  Dr.,  addresses  the 
Second,  54. 

Bennett.  John  H.,  Corp.,  46,  104;  dis 
ch'd,  159. 

Bennett,  James  H.,  Corp.,  18;  veteran 
reserve.  218. 

Bentley,  W.  P..  Corp.,  18, 68;  killed,  93; 
In  Memoriam,  386. 

Benton,  J.  D.,  Orderly-Serg't,  60;  dis 
ch'd,  103,  n. 

Bessie,  B.,  volunteer,  104. 

Betigless,  J.  D.,  Rev.,   Chaplain,  211; 


i      letter  of,  223 ;  activity  of ,225 ;  wound 
ed,  235;  in  the  navy,  271. 

Beveridge,  John  G.,  Orderly-Serg't,  46; 
promoted,  60,  103,  213;  foraging,  225; 
wounded,  240. 
i  Biere,  Emuel,  Corp.,  362. 
i  Binus,  Robert,  Corp.,  104, 279;  disch'd, 

362. 

i  Bishop,  J.  II..  Corp.,  18;  promoted,  157. 
'  Black,  Samuel,  Corp.,  46  ;   promoted, 

217. 

;  Blackman,  B.,  Lance-Corp.,  158;  Corp., 
159,  278;  disch'd,  323. 

Blair,  John,  Corp.,  158;  In  Memoriam, 
393. 

Blake,  E.  el.,  Corp.,  19;  promoted,  47, 

157;  In  Memoriam,  415. 
i  Blanchard,  H.  T.,  Corp. ,19;  promoted, 
157;  killed,  240;  In  Memoriam,  415. 

Bliss,  F.  W.,  Corp.,  47. 

Bodfish,  W.,  Col.,  pall-bearer,  69. 

Bolles,  L.  S.,  Assistant  Surgeon,  157; 
resigns,  215;  In  Memoriam,  377. 

Boone,  J  E.,  Capt.,  pall-bearer,  69. 

Booth,  Corp.,  wounded,  352. 

Bosworth,  L.  B.,  Corp.,  61. 

Bosworth,  W.  C.,  Corp.,  357;  serg't, 
362. 

Bourn,  F.  G.,  Corp.,  19;  promoted, 
159. 

Bourn.  W.  E.,  killed,  19. 

Boutwcll,  G.  S.,  Corp.,  333. 

Bowen,  A.  M.,  1st  Lieut.,  157;  on  staff 
duty,  215. 

Bowen,  J.  A.,  Capt.,  in  Veteran  Second. 
303. 

Bowen,  J.  F.,  Serg't,  18;  promoted, 
104,  159;  of  H,  Veteran  Second,  357; 
promoted,  361. 

Boweu,  L.  II.,  2nd  Lieut.,  17;  promo 
ted,  44;  resigns,  103;  subsequent  ap 
pointments  of,  272. 

Boyden,  John,  Rev.,  269. 

Bradford,  A.,  Corp.,  19. 

Bradford,  W.  J.,  Corp.,  19;  promoted, 
103,  156:  honorably  mentioned,  173; 
transferred,  215. 

Brady.  Patrick  H.,  Corp.,  311. 

Braman,  G.  W..  Corp.,  157. 

Braman,  J.  G.,  In  Memoriam.  400. 

Brandy  Station,  Sixth  Corps  at,  219. 

Brayahaw.  John,  Corp.,  60;  funeral 
guard.  68;  disch'd.  159. 

Hnot-ui,  F.  G.,  Serg't,  303. 

Brayton,  G.  J.,In  Memoriam,  404. 

BIIKAKING  CAMP,  62. 

Brennan,  J.  J.,  In  Memoriam,  424. 

Brennan.  Thomas,  Corp.,  159;  wound 
ed,  251:  promoted,  361. 

Bri^*,  D.  K.  W.,  Corp.,  311. 

Bristoe  Station,  light  at,  207. 

Brophy,  J.  H.,  Corp..  362;  disch'd,  362. 

Brown,  B.  S.,  1st  Lieut.,  17;  promo 
ted.  43;  passed,  141;  letter  to  and 
resignation  of,  143. 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


621 


Brown,  C.  T.,  Corp. ,46;  promoted,  104, 

157,  215. 
Brown,  C.  W.,  Corp.,  352,  362;  disch'd, 

868. 

Brown,  Charles.  Corp.,  216. 

Brown,  Col.  of  36th  N.  Y.,  156;  wound 
ed,  168. 

Brown,  F.  A.,  Corp..  362. 

Brown,  S.  H. ,1st  Lieut.,  17;  promoted, 
59;  passed  over,  141;  commands 
Second,  154;  stafi'  duty,  215;  promo 
ted,  270. 

Brown,  T.  F.,  Corp.,  19;  promoted,  58, 
165. 

Brown,  W.  W.,  Corp.,  19;  promoted, 
104. 

Bucklin,  G.  H..  Serg't,  wounded,  352; 
promoted,  362. 

Buell.  Don  Carlos,  Gen.,  48,  57. 

Buft'um,  J.  B..  Corp..  19. 

Bull  Run,  battle  of,  32:  discussion  of. 
40:  want  of  discipline  at,  41;  second 
battle  of.  107. 

Bullock,  W.  II.,  Corp.,  278;  promoted, 
322. 

Burgess,  Tristam,with  searching  party, 
66. 

Burke,  J.,  Corp.,  died,  352;  In  Memo- 
riam.  390. 

Burke.  T.  T.,  Ouartermaster-Serg't,  53; 
honorably  disch'd.  103. 

Burns,  W.  "B  ,  volunteer,  104;  In  Me- 
morjam,  404. 

Burnsidc,  A.  E.,  Col.,  commands  First 
R.  I.,  14;  camp  named  for,  21;  com 
mands  First  and  Second.  24;  com 
mands  brigade,  28;  at  Bull  Run,  32; 
brigadier-general.  47  ;  at  Roanoke 
Island,  62;  organizes  Ninth  Corps, 
98;  at  South  Mountain,  109;  at  Fred 
erick,  119 :  commands  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  120 :  at  Fredericksburg,  125; 
retires,  134;  a  second  attempt  of,  134 ; 
relieved,  134;  final  order  of,  135;  in 
East  Tennessee,  205  ;  re-organizes 
Ninth  Corps,  233;  in  Virginia,  236 
241.  247,  256. 

Burnside,  Mrs.  Gen.,  visits  camp,  54. 

Burn  side  Zouaves,  escort,  264. 

Burroughs,  S.  S.,  Corp.,  19. 

Burt,  F.  A.,  2nd  Lieut.,  joins  Second 
Veterans,  357;  promoted,  361. 

Burt.  J.  B.,  Corp..  18;  wounded,  35. 

Burton,  R.  T.,  Corp.,  362. 

Burton.  W.  W.,Commissary-Serg't,333; 
mustered  out.  361. 

Bush.  II.  F.,  Corp..  217. 

Bushee.  J.  A.,  Serg't,  362. 

Butler,  H.  V.,  Corp.,  19;  enters  navy, 

»)^. 

Butler,  J.  D..  In  Memoriam.  424. 
Byrnes.  Thomas,  Corp..  19:  promoted, 
46;  transferred  to  artillery,  219. 

C,  Company,  organized,  17;  color-com 


I     pany.  22:    in  Roll,   466;    Veterans,. 

278:  in  Roll.  581. 
,  Cahoone,  C.  T.,  Corp.,  mustered,  18; 

promoted,  60;  funeral  guard,  68;  pro 
moted.  216;  wounded.  240. 
Calder.  E.  A..  Hospital  Steward,  17; 

returns  with  sick  and  wounded,  45; 

transferred  to  U.  S.  army,  215. 
Caldwell,  S.  L.,    Rev.   Dr.,    preaches 

before  Second,  21. 
California.    R.   I.   residents   of,    send 

colors.  50. 

Calligan,  James.  In  Memoriani.  387. 
Cameron,    Serg't    of  5th   Wisconsin,. 

captures  Gen.  Ewell.  352. 
CAMP  BRIGHT  WOOD,  43. 
Camp  Misery,  74. 
Camp  Scott,  headquarters  of  advance 

guard,  81. 

Campbell,  P.,  Corp.,  278,  323. 
Capron,  A.  B.,Serg't,18;  promoted,  44,. 

60,  103;  transferred  to  signal  corps, 

215. 

Card,  P.  W.,  In  Memoriani,  408. 
Carpenter,  E.  &  Sons,  send  ice,  49. 
Carpenter,T.  O.  H.,  Corp., 18:  mortally 

wounded,  35;  In  Memoriam,  393. 
Carr.  Frank,  Corp. ,157;  promoted,  158. 
Carr,  Dr.  George  W.,  Surgeon,  45;  pro 
moted,   100;    surgeon-in- chief,    230, 

239. 

Carr.  L.  F..  Serg't,  18;  hospital  stew 
ard,  157.  239. 
Carr.  T.  H.,  2nd  Lieut.,  appointed.  60; 

promoted,  103;  died,  145;  In  Memo 
riam.  381. 
Carr,  W.   V.,   1st  Lieut.,  333;  acting 

adjutant,  and  promoted,  361. 
Carroll,  P.,  Corp..  died,  352;  promoted,. 

362:  In  Memoriam.  411. 
Carter.  A  L.,  Corp. ,18;  funeral  guard, 

68,104. 

Carter,  H.  A.,  Corp.,  159. 
Cedar  Creek,   skirmishes    near,    292  ; 

battle  of,  305.  308. 
Ceutreville,  30.  62.  107.  207 
Chamberlain.  B.,  Corp..  19;  promoted, 

15!) :  killed,  251:  In  Memoriam,  410. 
Chancellorsville.  battle  of.  161. 
CHANGES  AND  COMPLICATIONS,  136^ 
Chappell,  A.  W..  Serg't,  18;  promoted, 

60;  disch'd,  104. 
Chappell,  R.  I.,  Corp.,  362. 
Chase,  A.  B.,  Corp..  19. 
Chase,  Z.,  Captain,  kindness  of.  49. 
Chase.  Zaccheus.  Corp.,  exploit  of.304; 

promoted,  322. 
Chenery.  G.  H.,  Corp.,  105;  promoted, 

216;    disch'd.  333. 
Christian  Commission.  224,  249. 
Church.  I.   M..  2nd   Lieut.,  mustered, 

17:  captured.  38;  promoted.  59,  101; 

In  Memoriam,  383. 

Clark.  C.  II..  Corp..  19:  promoted.  58. 
Clark,  John,  with  searching  party,  66. 


622 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


Clark.  T.  M.,  Rt.  Rev.,  addressee  the 
Regiment,  23;  accompanies  it  to 
Washington,  23;  preaches  at  camp, 
54;  addresses  troops,  227. 

Clarke,  Chaplain,  1st  R.  I.  Cavalry, 
225. 

Clarke,  A.  W.,  Corp.,  46;  promoted, 
61,  156,  158,  acting  adjutant,  224; 
wounded,  240. 

Clarke,  G.  L.,  Hon.,  reception  com 
mittee,  227. 

Clarke.  O.  P.  G.,  1st  Lieut.,  mustered, 
17;  promoted,  43;  cresses  Chicka- 
hominy,  82;  disch'd,  103. 

Clendennin,  George,  Jr.,  promoted,  60; 
103,  156. 

Clifford,  Edward,  Corp.,  104;  disch'd, 
159. 

Cobb,  I.  N.,  In  Memoriam.  405. 

Cobb,  W.  M.,  volunteer,  104. 

Coghill,  T.  A.,  362. 

Cold  Harbor,  battle  of,  257. 

Cole,  A.  C.,  In  Memoriam,  394. 

Cole,  G.  G.,  Corp  ,217;  wounded,240. 

Cole,  II.  J.,  Corp..  19;  funeral  guard, 
68;  killed,  93;  date  of  promotion, 
104;  In  Memoriam,  403. 

Coleman,  W.  H.,  with  searching  party, 
66. 

Collins,  Michael,  Corp.,  271. 

Collins,  M  W.,  2nd  Lieut.,  44;  pro 
moted,  103;  resignation  and  re-ap 
pointment.  145;  In  Memoriam,  381. 

Colvin,  W.  H.,  Serg't.  320. 

Cook,  Davis,  Corp.,  18;  wounded,  240. 

Cook,  T.  R.,  Serg't,  303. 

Cook,  H.  C.,  2nd  Lieut.,  17;  wounded, 
38;  promoted  in  U.  S  array.  53. 

Cooper,  Thomas,  In  Memoriam,  402. 

Cory,  C.  W.,  Corp.,  159. 

Couch,  D.  N.,  Gen.,  commands  bri 
gade,  48  ;  division.  65.  77;  at  Fair 
Oaks,  88  ;  Malvern  Hill.  96;  ordered 
to  Maryland  Heights,  112;  promoted, 
113:  independent  command,  115;  at 
Fredericksburg,  132. 

Coyle,  J.  H.,  Serg't,  died.  35-2;  date  of 
promotion,  362;  In  Memoriam,  385. 

Cozzens,  W.  C.,  Lieut.-Goy.,  144. 

Cragin.  Charles  C.,  Captain  in  Heavy 
Artillery,  215. 

Crandall.  Henrie,Acting  Adjutant  Gen 
eral,  365. 

Cranston,  J.  E.,  Capt.,  pall-bearer,  69. 

Cranston,W.  H.,  Hon.,  receives  colors, 
50. 

Crichton,  James,  Corp.,  333. 

Crocker,  J.  F.,  Serg't,  362. 

Cromley,  James,  Corp.,  158. 

Crook.  Gen.,  289,  296,  299,  305,  350. 

Crossley,  W.  J.,  Corp.,  216,  217. 

Crowell,  G.  W.,  Corp.,  158. 

Cummings,  A.  I.,  Assistant  Surgeon, 
272. 

Cummings,  J.  G.,Corp.,  18;  disch'd,219. 


Cunningham,  A.  II.,  Serg't,  18. 

Curry,  John,  Musician,  104. 

Curtis,  J.  B.',  Corp.,  18;  promoted,  46; 

disch'd,  219. 
Cushing.  H.  C.,  Corp.,  mustered,  19; 

promoted,  58. 
Custer,  Gen.,  movements  of,  228,  307, 

350. 

D,  Company,  organized.   17;  in  Roll, 
477;  Veterans,  311;  in  Roll,  588. 

Dagnan,  Thomas.  In  Memoriam,  400. 

Davis,  A.  F.,  Corp.,  105;  In  Memoriam, 
411. 

Davis,  G.  A.,  Corp.,  18. 

Davis,  H.  M.,  In  Memoriam,  391. 

Davis,  Jefferson,  flees  from  Richmond, 
347. 

Dawley.  W.,  Serg't,  17;  disch'd,  159. 

Deane,  J.  E.,  In  Memoriam,  425. 

Deitz,  George,  Corp.,  362. 

Dennis,  J.  W.,  Jr.,  Serg't.  18. 

Denison,  F.,  Chaplain,  with  searching 
party,  66. 

Dcvens.  Charles,  Jr.,  Col.,  promoted, 
65;  order  of,  78;  wounded,  89;  pro 
moted,  113  ;  in  command,  115;  at 
Fredericksburg,  127;  division  com 
mander,  155,  257 ;  occupies  Rich 
mond,  347. 

Devoll,  F.  N..  Corp.,  320. 

Dewhurst,  J.  W.,  In  Memoriam,  421. 

Dixon,  H.  C.,  Corp.,  mustered,  18; 
promoted,  104.  215. 

Dixon,  A.,  Serg't,  18;  disch'd,  104. 

Dixon,  N.  F.,  Serg't,  18,  104. 

Doherty,  P..  Corp.,  333. 

Donnelly,  James,  Corp.,  357. 

Donnovan.  John.  In  Memoriam,  412. 

Dorrance,  J.  K.,  2nd  Lieut.,  joins  Sec 
ond  Veterans,  303  ;  at  Petersburg, 
345:  wounded,  352;  promoted,  361. 

Douglass,  D.  L.,  Corp.,  18;  promoted, 
61. 

Douglass,  W.  B.,  Corp.,  18;  promoted, 
46. 

Doyle,  Thomas  A..  Hon.,  265.  270. 

Duffie,  Gen..  287;  captured,  316. 

Duffy,  J.  M.,  Serg't,  color-sergeant, 
17,  29;  promoted.  44,  56. 

Dugan.  James,  In  Memoriam,  396. 

Duke,  Charles,  Corp..  271. 

Dunnell.  Jacob.  Col.,  269. 

Durfee,  S.  B.,  Corp.,  158.  159. 

Dwight,  G.  L.,  Corp.,  19;  promoted,  58; 
re-brgani/es  battery,  59. 

Dyer,  C.  G..  Capt.,  17;  response  of.  22; 
'in  skirmish,  81,  93;  promoted,  141. 

E,  Company,  organized.   17;    on  the 
Peninsula,  81:    In    Roll,   490;    Vet- 
enxns,  303;  in  Roll.  5<tl. 

Earle,  John.  In  Memoriam,  424. 
Earle.  J.  D..  Col.,  pull-bearer,  69. 
Easterbrooks,   G.   T.,  Corp.,  46;  pro- 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


623 


moted,  159,  216,  279,  310,  322;  acting 

adjutant.  362. 
Eddy,  A.  C.,  Ensign,  acting  adjutant 

of  Second,  16;  relieved  and  thanked, 

24. 

Eddy,  John  F.,  Serg't,  18. 
Edwards,  Oliver,  Col.,  commands  bri 
gade,  244;  letter  of,  263,  284.   286;  at 

Opequan.  2%;   Petersburg,  342,  343; 

in  pursuit,  351;    in    grand   review, 

360. 

Ehlert,  L.,  In  Memoriam,  405. 
Elliott,  G.  E.,  Corp..  320. 
Ellis,  W.  L,  2nd  Lieut.,  44;  promoted, 

59;  resigns,  145. 
END  OF  THE  SHENAXDOAU  CAMPAIGN, 

302. 
English,  S.  J.,  Serg't,   1R;  orderly,  46; 

promoted,  60,  103,  156. 
Eustis,  Col.,  letter  of,  148;  commands 

brigade,  168;  mention  of,   196,  231, 

238,  244. 

F,  Company,  organized,  17;  reception 
of,  269;  in  Roll,  501;  Veterans,  320; 
in  Roll,  600. 

Fales.  David.  Mrs. ,  gives  flag  to  Com 
pany  F,  270. 

Fales,  T.  II.  B..  Corp.,  157 ;  killed,  178; 
In  Memoriam,  416. 

Falmouth,  winter  quarters  at,  134. 

Fanning,  John,  Corp.,  wounded,  352; 
promoted,  362. 

Farrell,  John,  of  C,  In  Memoriam, 394. 

Farrell,  John,  of  F,  In  Memoriam,  402. 

Fay,  Michael,  In  Memoriam.  387. 

Ferguson,  E.  R.,  Corp.,  18;  disch'd,  60; 
in  U.  S.  navy,  '271. 

Field.  G.  W.,  Corp..  19;  promoted,  58. 

Five  Forks,  battle  of,  340. 

Flier,  J.  H.,  Corp.,  46;  gallantry  of, 
173,  216. 

Ford,  John,  Corp.,  19. 

Fort  Davis,  planned  and  built  by  Col. 
Rhodes  and  men,  284. 

Fort  Slocum,  built  by  Regiment,  53; 
good  service  of,  287. 

Fort  Steadman,  attacked  by  enemy, 
331. 

Fort  Stevens,  attacked  by  enemy,  286. 

Fortress  Monroe.  Regiment  at,  71. 

Foster,  W.  F.,  Corp.,  158;  wounded, 
178;  in  veteran  reserve,  219. 

Fourth  Army  Corps,  at  Fort  Magru- 
der,  77;  at  Yorktown.  99,  105. 

Foy.  Thomas,  2nd  Lieut..  17;  promo 
ted,  59, 102;  passed  over,141;  recruit 
ing,  222:  MMOnic  service  by,  425,  n. 

Franklin.  Dr.,  Surgeon,  45. 

Franklin,  Gen.,  78,  115,  122,  126,  130, 
132,  134. 

Franklin.  A.  B.,  In  Memoriam,  402. 

Frazier,  W.  II.,  Corp.,  61. 

Frederick,  P.,  Corp.,  362. 

FREDEUICKSBURG,  125. 


]  Fredericksburg,  battle  of,  125;    Lee's 
I     account  of,  130. 
!  French,  Gen.,  89,  210. 
Freyberg.H.,  Corp.,  47;  in  veteran  re 
serve  corps,  218. 
Frieze,  L.  B.,  Col.,  accompanies  First 

R.  L,  14. 
Fuller,  C.  H.,  Corp.,  333. 

G,  Company,  organized,   17;  in  Roll, 

512;  Veterans,  333;  in  Roll,  606. 
Gaible,  Joseph,  Corp.,  322. 
Gallup,  A.  S.,  Major,  pall-bearer,  69. 
Gallup,  E.  C.,  Capt..  pall-bearer,  69. 
Gardiner,  L.  S.,  Corp.,  311. 
Gardiner,  R.  C.,  Corp.,  217. 
Gardner,     J.    A.,    Col.,    accompanies 

Second.  23,  28. 

Gardner,  John  G.,  Corp.,  47 ;  in  veteran 
i     reserves,  218. 

Gardner,  R.  C.,  Serg't.  18. 
I  Gardner,  R.  E.,  Corp.,  159. 
i  Gavitt,  E.  A.,  Corp.,  18. 
General  Assembly  of  R.  L,  measures 
adopted  by,  13;   orders  bounty,  23; 
resolutions  of,  49.  177. 
Georgia,  21st  Infantry,  burn  body  of 

Ballou,  67. 

Getty,  Gen.,  231, 235, 237, 299 ;  at  Peters 
burg,  346,  363. 
GETTYSBURG,  188. 
Gettysburg,  battle  of,  189;  the  victory 

decisive,  200. 

I  Gibbon.  Gen.,  at  Fredericksburg,  130 
132, 162 ;  wounded,  199 ;  at  Cold  Har 
bor,  258. 

Gibbs,  C.  V..  on  committee,  51. 
Gibson,  Daniel.  In  Memoriam  422 
Gifford,  O.  II..  Serg't.  18;  resigns,  60; 

promoted,  103,  215. 
Gilmor.  Harry,  capture  of,  338. 
Gladding,  R.  H.,  Serg't,  18. 
Glancy,  J.  T..  Corp\,  wounded,  352; 

promoted.  362;  In  Memoriam,  422. 
Gleason.  C.  W.,  Corp..  46;  promoted, 
104. 158.279. 310,  322, 333 ;  killed,  351; 
In  Memoriam,  380. 

Goddard.  Frank,  Capt..  at  Bull  Run.  31. 
Goddard,  William,  Col.,  accompanies 
First  Regiment.  14 ;  appointed  lk>ut.- 
col.,  21;  A.  D.  C.,  and  accompanies 
Second,  23  ;  appointed  second  major 
of  First.  21. 

Godfrey,  C.  A..  Corp.,  322. 
Ciori".  Nathan,  Jr.,    Capt.,  commands 
Bristol  company,  15;  mustered    in, 
17:    promoted, '102;    letter  of,  139; 
promoted. 140;  commands  Regiment, 
146 ;  correspondence  about,  147,  148 
149;  dismissed.  151;  re  appointment 
and  MI bsequent  service.  152. 
Goldsmith. T.  A.,  Corp..  158-  missin°- 

178;   In  Memoriam,  390. 
Gorham,  W.  H..  Col.,  pall-bearer  69 
Gould,  Capt.,  with  searching  party,  66. 


624 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


Gould,  F.  M.,  1st  Lieut.,  in  Veteran 
Second,  320:  disch'd,  361. 

•Graham,  L.  P.,  Gen.,  commands  bri 
gade,  48. 

•Granger,  J.  N.,  1st  Lieut.,  in  Second, 
357. 

Grant,  R.  M.,  Corp.,  18. 

Grant,  U.  S.,  Gen.,  successful  at  Vicks- 
burg,  205;  commander-in-chief,  230; 
re-organizes  army,  231 ;  plans,  233, 
240,  252,  281  :  visits  Sheridan,  295 ; 
movements,  324,  329 ;  pursues  Lee, 
348 ;  proposes  Lee's  surrender,  353  ; 
meets  Lee  and  receives  surrender, 
355. 

Graves,  Samuel,  In  Memoriam,  416. 

Greeley,  Surgeon,with  searching  party, 
66. 

Green,  Ezra,  volunteers,  104. 

Green,  II.  A..  Corp..  19;  promoted, 
47 ;  killed.  178 ;  In  Memoriam,  410. 

Green,  William,  Corp.,  60,  216;  In 
Memoriam,  390. 

Greene,  C.  W., Capt.,  15, 17 ;  appointed 
to  U.  S.  Infantry.  43. 

Greene,  David,  In  Memoriam,  408. 

Greene,  F.  C.,  Corp.,  19:  In  Memo 
riam.  407. 

Greene,  G.  W.,  In  Memoriam,  413. 

Greene,  John,  19. 

Greene,  Joshua  II.,  Corp.,  46;  promo 
ted,  157,  216. 

Greene,  Richard,  Corp.,  60;  In  Me 
moriam.  390. 

Greene,  W.  B.,  Corp.,  320. 

Greene.  W.  H.,  Corp.,  47;   disch'd,  60. 

Grey,  W.  P.,  Corp.,  303;  died,  363; 
In  Memoriam,  420. 

Grinnell,  J.  G.,  Corp.,  279;  died,  310  ; 
In  Memoriam,  399. 

Groves,  G.  II.,  Serg't,  18;  promoted, 
104. 

H,  Company,  organized,  17;  in  Roll, 
523 ;  Veterans,  357 :  "in  Roll,  612. 

Hackett.  P.,  Corp.,  311. 

Hagan,  D.  H.,  Corp.,  303. 

Hafle,  Charles  A.,  Corp.,  217;  In  Me 
moriam,  403. 

Hall,  B.  M.,  Musician,  322. 

Hall,  E.  B.,  Rev.  Dr..  22. 

Hall,  J.  C..  Corp.,  60;  promoted,  158 ; 
died.  159;  In  Memoriam,  401. 

Halleck,  H.  W.,  Gen.,  Commander-in- 
chief,  98.  121.  187;  is  relieved,  230. 

Hallet,  George  W.,  Col.,  pall-bearer,  69. 

Halliday,  F/S.,Corp.,  159;  serg't,  ^17, 
278;  wounded,  240;  promoted,  310; 
letter  of,  344  ;  wounded,  352  ;  acting 
adjutant,  disch'd.  361. 

Hamilton,  John,  Serg't,  18. 

Hammet,  C.  D.,  promoted,  271;  In 
Memoriam,  384. 

Hammond,  J.  H.,  Serg't,  18. 

Hancock,  W.  S.,  Gen.,  movements  of, 


77,  191,  197;  wounded,  199;  service 

of,  231.  235.  237,  241,  245,  253,  256. 
Handy,  D.  A.,  Cor])..  159. 
Harrington,  C.  X.,  Col.,  pall-bearer,  69. 
Harris,  D.  S.,  reception  committee,  227. 
Harris,  James,  Dr.,  at  Bull  Run,  34  ; 

on  parole,  54. 

Harrison's  Landing,  army  at,  94. 
Haslam,  John,  Corp.,  217. 
Hatcher's  Run.  engagement  at. 325. 
Hathaway,  C.  W.,  Corp.,  217,  279. 
Hathaway,  J.  B.,  Corp.,  47;   disch'd, 

362. 
Hawkins,  C.  H.,  Corp..  mustered,  19 ; 

promoted,  104  ;  disch'd,  159. 
Hay,  D.,  Jr.,  Corp..  19  :  disch'd,  60. 
IIaxard,R.,  Hon.,  reception  committee, 

227. 

Heath,  W.  H.,  Corp..  357. 
Heavey,  Patrick ,  In  Memoriam,  409. 
Heintzelman,  S.  P.,  Col.,   commands 

division,  28;    at  Bull  Run,  35;    at 

Fair  Oaks.  89. 

Hennessey,  Thomas,  In  Memoriam,408. 
Herrick,  E.  S.,  Serg't,  303. 
Hill,  B.  C.,  Hon.,  on  committee,  227. 
Hilton,  J.  J.,  Corp.,  61. 
Hinds,  Albert,  In  Memoriam,  405. 
Hodgson,  J.,  Corp.,  19. 
Holland,  J.  H..  Serg't,  18. 
Holland,  T.F..Corp.,  46;  funeral  guard, 

68 :  promoted,  158. 

Holland,  Stephen,  Corp.,  18;   In  Me 
moriam.  399. 
Holmes,  D.  A.,  Corp.,  appointed  1st 

lieut.,  157. 

HOME  AT  LAST,  356. 
Hooker,  J.,  Gen.,  commands  divison, 

77,  89,  92;    at  Malvern  Hill,  98;   at 

South  Mountain,  109  ;  wounded,  110; 

commands  left  of  Army  of  Potomac, 

122  ;    at  Fredericksburg,  125,    129 ; 

commands  Army  of  Potomac,  134  ; 

characteristics  and  plans,  160,  161  ; 

losses,  176;   new  attempts   by,  179, 

180,  185;  relieved,  186. 
Hopkins.  G.  L.,  Corp.,  158. 
Horton,  A.  P.,  Corp.,  wounded,  352; 

promoted,  362. 
Horton,  T.  W.,  Corp.,  104. 
Howard,  O.  H.  P.,  Corp.,  61,  159. 
Howarth,  J.  B.,  Corp.,  157;  promoted, 

158;  veteran  reserve,  271. 
Howe,  Gen.,  on  upper  Potomac,  114; 

at,  Marye's  Heights,    166;  at  Salem 

Heights,  168. 
Htibburd.   L.   E.,  Corp.,   46  ;    funeral 

guard,  68 ;   promoted,  104 ;  resigned, 

105. 

Huling,  A.  J.,  pioneer,  217. 
Hull,  S.  F.,  Corp.,  60:   promoted,  158; 

in  veteran  reserve,  218. 
Hunt,  J.  H.,  In  Memoriam,  400. 
Hunt,  J.  W.,  Corp.,  19;  died,  159;  In 

Memoriam,  416. 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


625 


Hunter.  A.  B..  In  Memoriam.  391.  | 

Hunter.  D..  Col.,   movements  of.  28. 

33,  285:  relieved,  290. 
Hutchinson,  G.  B.,  Corp.,  19:   In  Me-  j 

moriam,  412. 
liver.  II..  Serir't..  17;  promoted,  60. 

I,  Company,  organized.  17:  on  Penin-  : 
sula.  93:  at  Fredericksburg.  127:  re 
ception  of,  269  :  in  Roll.  534. 

IN  MKMORIAM.  371. 

IN  VIRGINIA  AGAIN.  117. 

Ingraham,  J.  B.,  pioneer,  217. 

Island,  Patrick,  In  Memoriam,  416. 

Jackson,  T.  J.,  Col.,  at  Bull  Run,  36  : 
movements  of.  83.  84,  90.  106.  108,  '• 
132.163;  killed,  164. 

Jacques.  H.  L.,  In  Memoriam,  400. 

James,  Army  of  the.  347. 

Jameson,  T.  C.,  Rev.,  Chaplain,  21: 
eword  presented  to,  22 :  returns  with 
sick,  45 :  in  camp,  54,  63 :  escapes, 
capnire,  90 :  major,  141 :  resignation 
and  re-appointment  in  Fifth  R.  I. ,144. 

Jeffers,  F.,  Serg't,  18. 

Jeffrey,  J.  A.,  Capt.,  in  Veteran  Second, 
320:  wounded,  352. 

Jenckes,  H.  C..  Quartermaster-Serg't,  ; 
17  :  captured,  38 :  escapes  and  is  pro 
moted,  52:  recruiting,  105;  promo 
ted,  151 :  at  Salem  Heights,  169  ;  or 
der  of,  221  ;  in  command.  224.  249. 
262 ;  promoted,  270. 

Jenckes.  E.  M.,  Col.,  269. 

Jencks,  T.  W.,  Corp.,  19;  promoted, 
104.  271. 

Jillson.  W.  H..  Corp..  19. 

Johns,  Col.,  at  Marye's  Heights,  166. 

Johnson.  J.  G.,  In  Memoriam.  425. 

Johnson,  Z.  W.,Corp.,  IS. 

Johnston.  J.  E.,  Gen.,  movements  of, 
27.  30,  63,  76,  84,  88,  91 ;  surrenders, 
357. 

Jones,  D.  G..  Serg't,  333. 

Jones.  "Maurice.  Assistant  Surgeon,157. 

Jones.  O.  P.,  Senr't.  357. 

Jones,  P.  T..  Corp.,  362. 

Jones.    T.   E.,   Cor])..  217,  279:   corn- 
Jordan.  C.  H.,  Corp.,  promoted,  362. 

Jordan,  J.  B..  In  Memoriam.  388. 

Jordan,  William,  In  Memoriam,  420. 

K,  Company,  organi/ed.  17 :  at  Fred- 
erickBOurg.  127:  rear-guard.  174;  in 
Roll,  546. 

Kalkman,  P.,  Band  Leader.  19. 
Keatini:.  Prank, Corp.,  promoted.  217: 

missing.  240. 

Kelley,  Frank  E..  Corp..  18. 

Kelley,  Lawrence.  Corp.,  60:  funeral 
guard.  R8:  promoted.  104.  216:  gal 
lantry  of.  173  :  wounded.  240. 

Kelley.  Luke,  Corp.,  157:  promoted.  271. 
53 


Kellev,  T.  J.,  Corp.,  19  ;  In  Memoriam, 
411. 

Kelly.  John.  Corp..  158. 

Kellogg,  E.  D..  Corp..  158.  279.  323. 

Kenney,  Edward.  Corp..  362. 

Kent.  C.  B.,  Corp.,  46;  wounded.  203; 
promoted,  216;  died,  218:  In  Memo 
riam.  392. 

Keyes.  E.  D..  Gen.,  at  Bull  Run.  35; 
division  commander.  57  :  corps  com 
mander,  65  :  in  peril,  88,  95. 

Keyx-r,  Rev.  Charles,  146. 

Kidder,  George  W.,  Serg't,  18,  104, 
159. 

King,  James  A.,  Corp.,  159. 279:  wound 
ed.  178;  color-guard,  217:  promoted, 
322  :  died,  363:  In  Memoriam.  407. 

King,  J.  K.,  Corp..  362. 

Kinsman,  C..  Corp.,  217. 279;  wounded, 
24d:  disch'd,  323. 

Knight,  C.  W..  Serg't,  18. 

Knight,  Hon.  J.  C..  presents  colors,  21; 
with  the  Regiment,  23. 

Knight.  J.  W.,Serg't,  17,  159. 

Knight,  Samuel  B..  Corp.,  322. 

Koerner.  E.  C.,  pioneer,  217. 

Kruger.  C.  R..  Corp..  18  :  promoted,  46, 
60.  104 ;  disch'd,  159. 

Lachariche,  Jean.  Corp..  362. 

Langley.  Albert,  Corp..  311. 

Lawless,  James.  Serg't.  17:  promoted, 
60:  honorably  mentioned.  104;  dis 
ch'd.  145. 

Lawrence,  John.  Corp.,  159 :  serg't,278; 
wounded.  310. 

Lawton.  A.  W..  In  Memoriam,  388. 

Lawton,  H.  C.,  In  Memoriam,  388. 

Lawton.  J.  F..  In  Memoriam.  388. 

Lawton.  W.  C..  Corp..  46  :  wounded. 
251 :  promoted,  278.  311. 

Lawton.  W.  T.,  Senr't,  18:  wounded, 
178:  in  veteran  reserve.  218. 

Leavitt,  John  C.,  Corp.,  18,  61 ;  wound 
ed,  200 :  in  veteran  reserve,  219. 

Lee.  James,  Corp.,  216. 

Lee,  R.  E.,  Gen.,  commands  rebel  army, 
91 ;  plans  of.  93.  106  :  Antietam,  109  : 
in  Maryland.  117:  retires.  120:  at 
Fredericksburg.  12S  :  movements  of, 
163,  181.  185,  190,  195,  201.  204,  207; 
in  position,  233 :  at  Spottsylvania, 
•247:  movements  of,  253,  281,  285; 
position  becoming  untenable.  331  ; 
evacuates  Petersburg  and  Richmond, 
347 :  asks  terms.  353 ;  surrenders.  355. 

Lewis,  James  E.,  pioneer,  217  :  In  Me 
moriam.  405. 

Lewis,  Joseph,  Corp..  IS :    disch'd,  159. 

Lewis.  Thomas.  In  Memoriam,  409. 

Lewis.  T.  W.  D.,  '217.  32-2.  362. 

Lincoln,  A.,  President,  calls  for  troops, 
14.  15;  orders  of.  62,  65;  review  by. 
113:  orders  active  operations,  114; 
approves  Buraside's  plan.  121 :  sug- 


62G 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


gcstions  to  Hooker,  181  ;  emancipa 
tion  proclamation,  219;  issues  call, 
220;  at  Hampton  Roads,  335;  at 
Richmond,  348  ;  assassinated,  357. 

Lincoln,  II.,  Rev.,  presents  sword,  22. 

Lincoln,  J.  B.,  Serg't,  18. 

Liudall,  (J.  A.,  Corp.,  362,  363. 

Littlefteld,  W.  D.,  In  Memoriam,  392. 

Logan,  Burnett,  Corp.,  104. 

Logan,  Edward,  Corp.,  60. 

Longstreet,  Gen.,  in  Virginia,  108; 
South  Mountain,  109 ;  further  men 
tion  of,  183,  236;  wounded,  238. 

Loper,  J.,  Hospital  Steward,  271,  278; 
mustered  out,  361. 

Lowther,  Edward,  Corp.,  217. 

Luther,  J.,  Jr.,  In  Memoriam,  406. 

Lyons,  P.,  Corp.,  18;  promoted, 46,  158, 
214;  wounded,  240. 

Mahan,  John,  Corp.,  216. 

Mahoney,  J.,  volunteer,  104. 

Maker,  A.  E.,  Corp.,  19 ;  funeral  guard, 
68  ;  color-guard,  103  ;  disch'd,  159. 

Malcolm,   Hugh,  In  Memoriam,  419. 

Malvern  Hill,  battle  of,  94. 

Manchester,  Second  at,  193. 

Manchester,  B.  B.,  Serg't,  17;  promo 
ted,  60,  103;  resigns,  145. 

Manchester,  J.  S.,  Serg't,  18;  promo 
ted,  44  :  resigns,  60  ;  subsequent  ap 
pointments,  272;  In  Memoriam,  383. 

MuiiM'll,  .James,  Corp.,  died,  352;  date 
of  promotion,  362 ;  In  Memoriam,  420. 

Manton,  Robert,  Capt.,  pall-bearer,  69. 

Mariano,  H.,  pioneer,  217;  In  Memo 
riam,  406. 

Marie,  P.  A.,  Serg't,  357. 

Marsden,  George,  In  Memoriam,  388. 

Martin,  H.  H.,  Lance-Corp.,  104;  pro 
moted,, 158,  216. 

Martin,  James,  In  Memoriam,  413. 

Martin,  Michael,  Corp.,  36 -2. 

Martinsburir,  Regiment  at,  318. 

Marye's  Heights,  battle  of,  165. 

Mason,  II.  t.,  Corp.,  158. 

Massachusetts  7th,  brigaded  with  Sec 
ond,  48;  in  skirmish,  92;  at  Freder- 
icksburg,  128;  at  Marye's  Heights, 
166;  at  Salern  Heights,  168. 

Massachusetts  10th,  brigaded  with  Sec 
ond,  48;  relieves  Second,  73  ;  in  ad 
vance,  {«;  at  Salem  Heights,  169. 

Massachusetts  37th,  added  to  brigade, 
155;  at  Salem  Heights,  168,  US."),  -JH^ 
at  Opequan,  296;  provost-guard,  303; 
occupies  Petersburg,  348 ;  in  grand 
review,  360. 

Mathewson,  A.  C.,  Hon.,  on  commit 
tee,  227. 

Matteson,  II.  G.,  In  Memoriam,  389. 

Matteson,  S.  T.,  Corp.,  46;  died,  99; 
In  Memoriam,  386. 

Mauran,  E.  C.,  Adjutant-Gen.,  issues 
order,  15. 


Max-field,  G.  II.,  In  Memoriam,  400. 

May,  T.  W.,  Corp.,  1!),  21S. 

McAvoy,  Martin,  Serg't.  217. 

McCabe,  James,  In  Memoriam,  394. 

McCabe,  John,  In  Memoriam,  422. 

McCabe,  Thomas,  Corp.,  362. 

McCaffrey,  John,  Corp.,  279,  323. 

McCann,  W.,  In  Memoriam,  417. 

McCaughey,  F.,  Corp.,  158. 

McClellan,  G.  B.,  Gen.,  commands 
Army  of  Potomac,  47:  in-chief,  57: 
plans  and  movements  of,  62,  64, 75;  at 
headquarters  of  Second,  81,  s:i;  i> 
relieved,  85;  address  of,89  ;  at  Wash 
ington,  108;  at  Antietam,  10'.):  would 
remain  quiet,  114:  in  Shenandoah 
Valley,  120 ;  is  relieved.  120. 

McCloy,  R.,  Capt.,  receives  Veteran 
Second.  365. 

McDowell,  I.,  Gen.,  commands  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  27 ;  movements  of, 
29,  30,  32,  37;  is  relieved,  47;  on 
the  Rappahannock  and  above,  83, 85, 
8T. 

McElroy,  John,  In  Memoriam,  420. 

McGahen,  B.,  Corp.,  217. 

Mclntyre,  J.,  Capt.,  157;  killed,  235  : 
In  Memoriam,  377. 

McKay,  James,  Corp.,  159,  278;  pro 
moted,  311,  333,  361 :  wounded,  352. 

McKay,  Thomas.  Serg't.  320,  352. 

NcKay,  Thomas,  2nd,  In  Memoriam. 
403. 

McLane,  Andrew,  In  Memoriam,  394. 

McLaren,  Serg't,  159. 

McLaughlin,  A., Corp.,  60;  Serg't,  158. 

McMillan,  J.,  Corp.,  .333. 

McMalion,  A.,  Corp.,  18,  29  ;  serg't,  46. 
178. 

McTierney,  F.,  Corp.,  320. 

Meade,  G.  G.,  Gen.,  130;  commands 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  186;  move 
ments  of,  188,  191,  195,  201,  204,  207, 
209,  212,  324. 

Mcchanicsville,  Regiment  at,  81, 83,  94. 
255. 

Medbury,  W.  II.,  In  Memoriam,  392. 

Mc-~iuger,  George,  Serg't,  58. 

Michitran  1st,  al  IVtrrshuri:,  3J7. 

Middletown.  Sixth  Corps  at,  317. 

Miller,  C.  S.,  Corp.,  357. 

Miller,  D.  F.,  Corp.,  217. 

Miller.  H.  R.,  Corp.,  333.  352. 

Miller,  Percv,  Corp.,  158,  178. 

Miller,  Alexander,  Corp.,  killed,  352; 
date  of  promotion,  362;  In  Memo 
riam.  421. 

Mine  Run,  movement  to  and  affair  at, 
810. 

Miner,  Christopher,  In  Memoriam.  389. 

Moftttt.  -James  Corp.,  l.r>s,  27!),  *W. 

Monroe,  I.  B.,Srr-'t.  :«3. 

Monroe.  J.  A.,  1st  Lieut.,  17;  promo 
ted,  58. 

Montgomery,  W..  Lance-Corp.,  104. 


irKXEKAL    INDEX. 


Moon,  S.  E..  Corp.,  46, 158,  178,  218;  In 

Mcmoriam,  385. 

Morirun,  Charles.  Serg't,  17,  68. 
Mortran.  James,  Corp.,  158,  216. 
Mor.-e,  E.  T  .  In  Memoriam.  417. 
Morse.  N.  T..  Jr.,  Corp.,  19. 
Mowry,  Charles  F.,  In  Memoriam,  422. 
Mowry.  Daniel.  In  Memoriam.  417. 
Mowry,  George,  Corp.,  311;  promoted, 

362. 

Mowry.  O.  S.,  Serg't,  311. 
Mullen,  Patrick.  In  Memoriam,  417. 
Muller,  T.  E..  Corp..  promoted.  362. 
Murphy.  J.  H.,  Corp..  19.  61,  157. 
Murphy,  P.  J..  In  Memoriiun,  394. 

NalK  S.  L..  2nd  Lieut..  215. 

Nuson.  G.  L..  Serg't.  18.  158.  214,  178. 

Xeenan,  J.,  Corp.,  362,  363. 

Neill,  T  H.,  Gen.,  complimentary  or 
der  of.  263. 

Nevin.  Robert,  Serg't,  357. 

New  Hampshire  2nd,  at  Bull  Run,  28, 
31. 

NVw  Jersey  26th,  182. 

New  York"  3»ith.  with  Second,  48,  70, 
7-2.  lti«.  168. 

New  York  37th,  militia,  escort,  68. 

New  York  71st.  with  Second.  28;  at 
Bull  Kim.  31;  guard.  68. 

Newman.  D.  A.,  In  Memoriam,  417. 

Newman,  J.  S.,  Corp.,  19;  promoted, 
217. 

Newman,  S.  A.,  Corp.,  19,  46;  died,  99; 
In  Memoriam,  403. 

Newton,  Gen.,  at  Fredricksburg,  127; 
at  Salem  Heights,  169.  192. 

Newton,  H.,  Serg't,  18,  58. 

Nicholas,  C.  H.,  Corp..  47,  158,  216. 

Nicholas,  D.  W.,  Corp.,  158. 

Nichols,  C.  S.,  diary  of.  175. 

Nichols,  J.  C..  Serg't,  17,  158;  killed, 
178:  In  Memoriam.  389. 

Nichols.  Richard,  Corp..  158;  wound 
ed,  251. 

Nichols,  W.  H.,  In  Memoriam,  400. 

Nicholson.  J.  C..  In  Memoriam,  417. 

Nineteenth  Army  Corps,  joins  in  de 
fence  of  Washington,  286:  at  Summit 
Point.  292;  Opequan.  296;  in  Shen- 
andoah  Valley,  299.  307. 

Ninth  Army  Corps,  at  South  Mountain, 
109:  Fredericksburg,  128.  132;  re-or- 
cani/ed.  233:  in  the  Wilderness,  236; 
Bpotteyivanu,  244.  -247.  251;  North 
Anna,  958:  James,  281;  Fort  Stead- 
man.  331 ;  Petersburg.  340. 

Northern  Virginia.  Army  of.  Lee  com 
mands.  91;  soul  of  the" rebellion,  220; 
surrenders.  355. 

Nyc,  C.  C.,  Corp.,  357. 

Nyi>.  G.  L.,  Corp.,  303. 

O'Brien.  D.,  Corp., 352;  promoted.  362. 
O'Connor,  C.  H.,  2nd  Lieut..  157.  215.     ! 


<>  N. -ill.  Robert,  Serg't,  320. 
O'Neill.  Thomas.  Corp:,  til,  159. 
Oldenburg,  (i.  P.,  Seig't,  333,  352. 
Olney.  J.  M.,  committee.  51. 
Opequan,   forces  meet   at.    -2<)2:  army 

crosses.  295:  battle  of.  2«>5;  decisive 

victory  of.  298. 

ORGANIZATION  AND  DKPAHTUKE,  13. 
Owen.  C.  D.,  Serg't,  18;  promoted,  58. 

Padelford,  Seth,  lion.,  addresses  by, 
227,  270. 

Paine,  Col.,  commands  escort.  261. 

Palmer.  I.  N..  Gen.,  commands  bri- 
L'.-id.-.  89.  92. 

Parke,  Gen..  97;  repulses  attack,  332; 
at  Petersburg.  340. 

Parker.  Thomas.  Lance-Corp..  217.  310. 

Patt.  Thomas  J..  Corp.,  104,  159. 

Paul.  D.A.,  tenders  surrender  of  Peters 
burg,  347. 

Pawtucket,  reception  of  F  in.  269. 

Pa>  ne.  Abraham.  Hon..  address  by. 227. 

Pearce.  George  A..  Corp.,  158,  271;  In 
Memoriam,  383. 

Pearce.  W.  W..  Major, pall-bearer,  69. 

Peck,  George  B.,  Jr.,  2nd  Lieut.,  333; 
wounded,  352;  resigned.  361. 

Peck.  N.  A  ,  Lance-Corp.,  104;  promo 
ted,  158.  159;  wounded,  178;  died, 
218;  In  Memoriam.  395. 

Peckham,  E.  P.,  committee,  51. 

Peckham,  F.  H..  Dr.,  Surgeon  of  Third 
Rhode  Island,  45. 

Peckham,  W.  F.,  Hon.,  committee,  227. 

Pendleton.  J.  M.,  Hon. .committee.  227. 

Peninsular  campaign,  plan  of,64:  losses, 
94,99. 

Pennsylvania  invaded.  185,  188. 

Pennsylvania  49th  veterans.  :;iiO. 

Pennsylvania  82nd,  166.  319.  360. 

Pennsylvania  98th,  advance-guard,  79, 
80.  82. 

Pcnrose,  W.  H.,  Col..  231. 

Perkins,  C.  E.,  Corp.,  47;  promoted, 
60,  216.  278.  310,  32-2.  333. 

Perry.  Ira.  Dr..  Assistant  Sunrcon,  101. 

Perry,  J.  DeWolf.  committee.  '2'27. 

Perry,  S.  T.,  Corp.,  157,  217;  In  Memo 
riam.  416. 

Perrv.  W.  H..  Corp.,  61 ;  promoted,  216, 
278.310.  333;  killed.  351 ;  In  Memo 
riam.  382. 

Perseche,  G.  A..  Corp.,  216,  279,  322. 

Petersburg  attacked,  280;  beseiged, 
281,325,331:  taken.  3»7. 

Phcttcplace.  Stephen,  Corp..  320. 

Phillips.  A.  A..  Corp.,  18.  IK). 

Phillips.  J.  A.,  Corp.,  158;  killed,  251; 
In  Memoriam,  411. 

Phillips,  J.  H.,  Corp.,  60,  158,  178.  271. 

Pickett.  Gen.,  charge  of  at  Gettysburg, 

Pierce,  C.  C..  Corp.,  46. 
Pierce,  W.,  Jr.,  Corp.,  362. 


628 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


Pierce,  W.  B..  Serg't  and  2nd  Lieut.,  58. 

Pocasset  Bank  of  FM  River,  14. 

Pollard,  J.,  Capt.,  in  Veteran  Second, 
357. 

Poore,  B.  P.,  Major,  account  of  review, 
359. 

Porter,  lite-John,  Gen.,  79;  at  Hanover 
Court  House,  82;  movements  of,  94, 
96. 

Possuett,  John,  Corp.,  217. 

Potter,  A.  T.,  Corp.,  105,  216. 

Potter,  B.  G.,  Corp..  158,  178,  218. 

Potter,  G.  E.,  Serg't,  368. 

Potter,  J.  S.,  Drum-Major,  19,  103. 

Potter,  J.  W..  Corp.,  362. 

Powers,  Charles,  In  Memoriam,  395. 

Prentiss,  E.  F.,  Corp.,  18;  promoted, 
60,  157.  214;  recruiting,  221;  wound 
ed,  257,  278:  disch'd,  310. 

Prescott,  H.  A.,  Lieut.,  killed,  34;  res 
olution  of  sympathy,  49;  body  not 
found,  68. 

Providence,  city  of,  banks  advance 
money,  13;  battery  and  companies 
recruited  from,  20;  funeral  ceremo 
nies  in,  68;  receptions  in,  227,  265, 
365. 

Providence  Artillery,  Horse  Guards, 
Light  Infantry,  Marine  Artillery,  Na 
tional  Guard,  Old  Guard,  funeral  es 
cort,  69. 

Providence  Journal,  extracts  from,  172, 
272. 

Prue,  David,  In  Memoriam.  413. 

Quinn,Thomas,  Rev.,  address,??;  chap 
lain,  155. 

Railton.  W.,  Corp.,  at  Petersburg,  345; 
died,  346;  In  Memoriam,  421. 

Ralph.  W.,  Serg't.  17,  270. 

Randall,  I.  C.,  In  Memoriam,  418. 

Randall.  Thomas,  Corp.,  362. 

Randall,  W.  H.,  In  Memoriam,  418. 

Randolph,  B.  II.,  on  committee,  51. 

Randolph,  G.E.,  Serg't-Major,  18,  39, 
58,  107. 

Rappahannock  Station,  brilliant  affair 
at.  208. 

Rathbun,  J.  P.,  pioneer,  217;  corporal, 
279;  disch'd,  322. 

Raynor,  J.  J.,  Corp.,  158. 

Read,  Charles  M.,  Corp  ,  19. 

Read,  John,  Corp.,  320. 

Read,  S  B.  M.,  1st  Lieut.,  17;  promo 
ted.  43.  151,  270;  in  skirmish,  93;  at 
Fredericksbnrg,  127 ;  passed  over,  141 ; 
at  Salem  Heights,  171 ;  good  service 
of,  216;  in  command.  224;  wounded. 
240,  249;  response  of,  268. 

Reams's  Station,  engagement  at,  325. 

Records,  W.  H.,  In  Memoriam,  401. 

Redding,  Jamep,  Serg't,  311 ;  wounded, 
352;  disch'd.  362. 

Reilly,  M.,  pioneer,  217. 


Reinwald,  H.,  Corp.,  19. 

Religious  interest,  deep  in  the  army 

225. 

Remington,  A.  F.,  Corp.,  19. 
Remington,  B.  F.,  Jr.,  Col.,  pall-bearer, 

Remington,  George  B.,  Corp.,  216;  pro 
moted,  271. 

Reno,  Gen.,  division  commander,  97; 
re-enforces  Pope,  106;  killed,  109. 

Ressler.  C.  H..  Corp.,  158. 

RETURN  TO  PETERSBURG,  316. 

RETURN  TO  THE  RAPPAHANNOCK,  204. 

Reynolds,  II.  A.,  Serg't,  47. 

Reynolds,  J.  F..  Gen..  130.  162,  189. 

Reynolds,  W.  E.,  In  Memoriam,  396. 

Reynolds,  W.  G.,  Corp.,  46;  promoted,. 
104. 

Reynolds,  W.  H.,  Lieut.,  appointed 
captain  of  battery  of  the  Second,  16; 
mustered  in.  17;  at  Bull  Run,  31,37; 
receives  guns,  57;  promoted.  57,270.. 

Rhode  Island  batteries,  at  Fredericks- 
burg.  133. 

Rhode  Island,  First  Light  Artillery,  at 
Gettysburg,  200. 

Rhode  Island  First,  sent  to  Washing 
ton,  14;  receives  Second,  24;  bri 
gaded  with  Second,  28 ;  at  Bull  Run, 


Rhode  Island  Fourth,  at  Fredericks- 
burg,  133. 

Rhode  Island  Seventh,  at  Fredericks- 
burg,  133. 

Rhode  Island  Twelfth,  at  Fredericks- 
burg,  133. 

Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery  Four 
teenth  Colored,  at  New  Orleans,  145. 

Rhode  Island  Lyceum,  established.  226. 

Rhodes,  E.  H.,  Corp.,  18;  detached,  61; 
promoted,  103,  156,  215.  270,  321,  328, 
360;  maintains  Sunday-school,  213; 
urges  appointment  of  chaplain,  214; 
absent.  224 ;  commands  Battalion, 
278;  builds  Fort  Davis.  284;  narra 
tive  of,  288;  skirmishing,  294;  at 
Opequan,296;  movements  ot.  303;  in 
command.  309;  response  of,  327;  in 
skirmish,  333;  account  of  assault.  341 ; 
narrative  of,  352;  in  grand  review, 
360;  entertainment,  364;  farewell  or 
der.  365. 

Rhodes,  J.  P.,  Artificer,  appointed  2nd 
lieut,  58. 

Rhodes,  W.  E  ,  Corp.,  362. 

Rice.  Joel.  Corp.,  104,  178,  218;  In  Me 
moriam  ,  386. 

Rice,  John,  In  Memoriam,  406. 

Richardson,  C.,  Capt.,  pall-bearer,  69. 

Richardson,  J.  W.,  in  searching  party. 
66,  67. 

Ricketts,  Gen.,  36,  231. 257.  285.  299, 360. 

Riley,  John,  In  Memoriam,  418. 

Riley,  S.,  volunteer,  104. 

Robbins,  C.  T.,  Gen.,  commands  Sec- 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


ond,  15;  resigns,  16;   lieut.-col.,  23} 
relieved,  24. 

Robertson,  Robert,  Jr.,  Corp.,  46;  pro 
moted,  158,  278,  333. 

Rodman,  George,  Corp.,  105,  240. 

Rodman,  I.  C.,  In  Memoriam,  401. 

Rodman,  I.  P.,  Capt,  17.  32,  45;  pro-  ; 
muted,  55, 101;  killed,  110;  In  Memo-  i 
riam.  373. 

Rodman,  J.  B.,  Corp.,  18. 

Rogers,  E.  M.,  Serg't,  17.  60. 

Rogers,  Horatio,  Jr.,  Major,  appointed  | 
colonel,  146;  correspondence  about, 
147.  148,  149:  writes  resignation,  150; 
order  of.  151;  difficult  position,  153; 
sick.  154;  requests  promotion  of  of 
ficers,  1^6;  at  Salem  Heights,  169; 
general  order  of,  176 ;  mutual  confi 
dence,  180;  commands  brigade,  182; 
letter  of,  200;  favors  election  of  chap 
lain,  210;  order  of.  220;  resignation 
and  farewell  order  of,  222;  subse 
quent  service,  224;  address  of,  267. 

Rogers,  L.  T.,  Serg't.  18. 

ROLL  or  THE  REGIMENT,  Field  and 
Staff,  429:  Non-Commissioned  Staff, 
434;  Captains.  436;  First  Lieuten 
ants,  439;  Second  Lieutenants,  443; 
Company  A,  445;  B,  455;  C,  466 ;  D, 
477;  E,  488;  F,  500;  G,  513;  H,  523; 
I.  535;  K,  547;  Regimental  Band, 
558. 

ROLL  OP  THE  VETERANS,  Field  and 
Staff,  560:  Captains,  562:  First  Lieu 
tenants,  564;  Second  Lieutenants,  565; 
Company  A,  567:  B,  574:  C,  581;  D, 
588;  E,  594;  F,  600 ;  G,  606;  H,  612. 

Romaiu,  F.,  Corp.,  19;  In  Memoriam, 
402. 

Rounds,  E.,  Corp.,  104. 

Rowley,  William,  Jr.,  Corp.,  303. 

Russell,  E.  A.,  Serg't-Major,  17;  pro-  i 
moted,  44,  59 ;  in  charsre  of  bodies,  [ 
68:  honorable  mention  of ,  139;  passed  j 
over.  141. 

Rus>ell.  D.  A.,  Col.,  7th  Massachusetts,  i 
!(2 :  success  of,  208.  231;   commands 
division,  244;  killed,  298;   character  i 
and  services,  301. 

Russell,  Samuel,  In  Memoriam,  422. 

Russell,  S.  B.,  Serg't,  17;  promoted, 
103,  157,  n.,  270,  278;  diech'd,  310. 

Sabin,  W.  A.,  Corp.,  19;  promoted,  58. 
Sailor's  Creek,  battle  of,  350 ;  brilliant 

results,  353. 
SALEM  HEIGHTS.  160. 
Salem  Heights,  fierce  battle  of,  167. 
Salisbury.  R.  L.,  Corp..  158. 
Sailer's   Creek,  brigade  headquarters 

at.  71. 

San  Francisco,  address  from,  51. 
Sault.  Peter,  Corp.,  158. 
Say  les,Lieut.-Col., with  searching  party, 

66. 

53* 


Sayles,  L.  L.,  Serg't,  320. 

Sayles.  T.  W.,  promoted,  58. 

School  opened  at  Brandy  Station,  226. 

Scott.  C.  V.,  promoted.  58. 

Scott.  Winfield.  Lieut.-Gen.,  47.  57. 

Seamans,  G.  W.,  Jr.,  Corp..  18,  159. 

Seamans.  James,  Serg't,  303 :  died,  352; 
In  Memoriam,  419. 

Searle,  E.  II.,  Corp..  18.  159. 

Sears,  Barnas,  President,  address,  227. 

Sears,  E.  II.,  1st  Lieut.,  17;  promoted, 
43;  resigned,  56. 

Sears,  W.  B.,  1st  Lieut.,  17:  promoted, 
59;  passed  over,  141;  at  conscript 
camp,  215;  at  reception  of  F.  270. 

Second  Army  Corps,  movements  of, 
128,  132,  161,  191.  207,  208,  234,  237,  245, 
247,251,253,258.281,348. 

SECOND  REGIMENT  RHODE  ISLAND  VOL- 
UNTEEHS.  ordered.  15;  mustered.  16; 
oflicereof,  17;  battery  of,  17:  material 
of,  20;  in  camp,  21;  colors  presented 
to,  21;  leaves  for  Washington,  23;  life 
and  spirit  of  in  camp,  25;  in  Virginia, 
28;  leads  the  van  to  Bull  Run,  31: 
opens  battle.  32;  in  retreat,  38;  losses 
of,  38,  39:  in  camp,  43;  re-organized, 
43  ;  sick  and  wounded  sent  home,  45; 
recruited,  45;  at  Gimp  Brightwood 
with  brigade,  48;  employment  of,  48  ; 
receives  thanks  of  General  Assembly, 
49;  colors  presented  from  California, 
50;  life  in  camp.  54:  battery  detached, 
57;  changes  in  officers,  59;  camp  in 
cidents,  63:  receives  bodies  of  Slo- 
cum,  Ballon  and  Tower,  68;  leaves 
camp,  70;  on  the  Peninsula.  71,  73, 
76,  78:  captures  train  on  Virginia 
Central  R.  R.,  82;  skirmishing,  92, 
95;  in  camp.  96;  high  reputation 
of,  97:  leaves  Harrison'^  Landing.  W: 
at  Yorktown,  99;  sanitary  condition 
of.  99 ;  drafts  upon  officers,  101 ; 
changes  in.  103:  at  Alexandria.  106; 
movements  of,  107,  ill;  scanty  sup 
plies.  113;  movements, 114,  115;  "trans 
ferred  to  Sixth  Corps.  115;  on  the 
march,  120;  at  Fredericksburg,  127; 
presents  sword  to  Wheaton,  128; 
complications  and  changes  in,  141; 
resignations  and  appointments,  141, 
145,  14T  ;  in  winter  quarters,  155; 
further  changes,  156;  to  the  Rappa- 
hannock,  162;  at  Marye's  Heights, 
165:  at  Salem  Heights,"l69.  171.  172, 
17t>;  thanked  by  General  Assembly, 
177:  breaks  camp,  180;  crosses  river. 
182;  trying  march,  184;  to  Maryland, 
189;  forced  march,  193;  at  Gettys 
burg,  195 ;  in  pursuit,  201;  move 
ments  in  summer  and  autumn  of 
1863,205.  206;  brilliant  affair  at  Rap- 
pahannockStation,208;  new  chaplain 
and  other  changes.  212;  in  winter 
quarters,  219;  re-enlistments,  220; 


630 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


Rogers  resigns,  222 ;  religious  in 
terest  in,  2iJ4;  on  the  march,  227:  to 
the  Rapidan,  233;  battle  of  theWilder- 
ness,  234;  casualties,  239;  to  Spott- 
sylvania,  241,  battle  of,  247;  splendid 
service,  241);  casualties,  251;  march 
to  the  North  Anna,  253;  on  to  Rich 
mond.  250;  at  Cold  Harbor.  258;  last 
night  in  camp,  260;  the  return,  262; 
complimentary  notices  of,  263;  re 
ception  in  Providence,  264;  latest 
changes  in  officers.  270;  mustered 
out,  272.  THE  VETERANS,  277;  roll 
of  officers,  278;  at  James  river,  281; 
engaged,  282,  283;  celebrates  .July 
4th,  284;  arrives  at  Washington,  286; 
on  the  march.  289 ;  recognized  as 
Second  Rhode  Island  Regiment,  291; 
skirmish  duty,  290;  on  picket,  294; 
at  Opequan,  296;  garrison  duty  at 
Winchester,  302;  escort*  train,  303; 
casualties  and  promotions,  310;  or 
dered  to  Petersburg,  319;  recruited, 
320,  323;  promotion,  322;  new  colors, 
326;  daily  work.  329;  skirmish,  330; 
332;  attack  on  Petersburg,  340;  be 
yond  Petersburg,  349 ;  at  Sailor's 
Creek.  351;  losses,  352;  at  Danville 
and  neighborhood,  356,  358;  review 
ed,  360;  final  changes  and  promotions, 
360;  final  return  from  service,  364; 
disbanded,  365:  the  Second  and  its 
work,  366;  Roll  of  the  Regiment,  429; 
Veterans,  560. 

Sedgwick,  John,  Gen.,  movements  of, 
79,  162,  164;  at  Salem  Heights,  167; 
further  movements  of,  173.  182;  at 
Gettysburg,  194;  at  Mine  Run,  210; 
in  last  campaign,  231,  237,  241 ;  killed, 
243;  notice  of,  244. 

Seymour,  T.,  Gen.,  231,  237;  at  Peters 
burg,  346,  350. 

Shackley,  W.  T.,  Corp.,  158,  178. 

Shaler,  A.,  Gen.,  231,  237. 

Shane,  Robert,  In  Memoriam,  418. 

Shaw,  J.  P.,  Lieut.,  17,  44,  45,  54;  com 
mands  company,  81;  captain,  102;  at 
Fredericksburg,  127;  passed over,141; 
re-enlists,  226.  232;  killed,  249;  In 
Memoriam,  376. 

Shaw,  L.  R.,  In  Memoriam,  397. 

Shaw,  Stephen,  Corp.,  320;  died,  363; 
In  Memoriam,  421. 

Shearman,  A.  O.,  Corp.,  18. 

Sheffield,  W.  P.,  Hon.,  address,  63,  227. 

Sheldon.  W.  M..  In  Memoriam,  418. 

Shenandoah  Valley,  27,  64,  84;  move 
ments  in,  298.  299,  300,  307. 

Sherman,  B.  W.,  Corp.,  47;  In  Memo 
riam,  407. 

Sherman,  E.  K.,  Lieut.,  17,44;  captain, 
59;  died,  99;  In  Memoriam,  375. 

Sherman,  E.  S.,  Corp.,  362. 

Sherman,  William,  committee,  50. 

Sherman,  W.  T.,  Col.,  at  Bull  Run, 35; 


conducts  war  in  the  West,  231 ;  march 
to  the  sea,  324:  movements  of,  330V 
339  ;  Johnston  surrenders  to.  357. 

SlIKRIDAN  MOVES   OUT   TO   BATTLE.  2'.)4. 

|  Sheridan,  P.  H.,  Gen.,  successful  raid! 
of,  246:  commands  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
291,   292;    at    Opequan,    296;    rapid, 
movements  of,   299:   plans  of,  304; 
ride  and  brilliant  victory  of,  306,  308; 
losses.  315;  plans  and  movements  of » 
I      316,  317,  336.  339.  348,  353,  355. 
!  "Sheridan's  Ride,"  312. 
Shippee,  R.,  Corp.,  wounded,  352  ;  pro 
moted,  3(52. 

j  Simmons,  E.  A.,  In  Memoriam,  406. 
Simmons,  G.  H.,  on  signal  service,  61. 
Simmons,  H.  F..  Serg't,  18. 
Simmons,  I.  D.,  Corp.,  362. 
I  Simpson,  Peter,  Jr., Col.,  pall-bearer,  69^ 
Sipple.  Capt.,  kindness  recognized,  4JL 
Sisson,  N.  A.,  Corp.,  104;  color- guard, 

217;  promoted,  271. 
Sixth  Army  Corps,  Second  joins,  115; 
atChancellorsville,  162;  losses  of,  176; 
movements  of,  182,  184;  at  Gettys 
burg.  191:  at  Rappahannock  Station, 
208;  at  Mine  Run,  210;  to  the  Rapi- 
dan,  234,  235;  at  Spottsylvania.  242, 
247, 250  ;  at  North  Anna,  253  ;  at  Cold 
Harbor,  258;  to  the  James,  281,  282, 
283;  defends  Washington,  285:  in  pur 
suit,  287,  2h9 ;  at  Opequan,  296 ;  in 
the  Shenandoah  Valley,  2!t<).  304;  se 
vere  march  of,  319;  at  Petersburg, 
340-347;  pursues  Lee,  348 ;  at  Sailor's 
Creek,  351 ;  finishes  work  in  Virginia, 
|  356;  movements  of,  357,  358;  dis 
solved,  363. 

j  Skinner,  J.  G.,  Corp.,  203,  27.1- 
1  Skinner,  Zophar,  Corp.,  217. 
j  Slater,  W.  S..  Hon.,  23. 
I  Slaterville,  affair  at,  79. 
I  Slocum,  Henry,  In  Memoriam,  423. 
'  Slocum,  J.  H.,  In  Memoriam,  401. 
Slocum.  John  S..  Major,  colonel  of  Sec 
ond.  16;  mustered,  17  ;  obligations  of 
Regiment  to,  25:    requests  to   lead 
column,  28 ;  at  Bull  Run,  31 :  killed, 
34;  character  and  prospects.  :y.i;  name 
proposed  for  camp,  48 ;  resolution  of 
sympathy  by  General  Assembly,  49; 
fort  named  in  honor  of,  53  ;  body  re 
covered,  65;  funeral  of,  68 ;  In  Memo 
riam,  371. 

Slocum,  Samuel,  Corp.,  46. 
Slocum,  W.  P..  Corp.,  47,  159. 
j  Small,  David,  Serg't,  217,  278 ;  promo 
ted.  310,322,333. 
Small,   R.   W.,    Quartermaster-Serg't, 

1(33.  278;   promoted,  310. 
Smith,  A.  D.,  3rd,  Col.,  presents  colors, 

888. 

Smith,  A.  J.,  In  Memoriam,  418. 
Smith,  E.  B.,  Corp.,  18:  In  Memorianu 
399. 


GENERAL    INDEX. 


631 


Smith,  F.  A. .Serg't,  18,  58 

Smith,  G.  H..  In  Memoriam,  397. 

Smith,  G.  L.,  promoted,  159. 

Smith,  Israel,  pioneer,  217. 

Smith,  James,  lu  Memoriam,  423. 

Smith.  J.  K.,  Serg't.  217. 

Smith.  J.  Y.,  Gov. ,  raises  colored  regi 
ment,  144;  addresses,  227,  266;  letter 
of,  279. 

Smith,  S.  James,  Capt.,  17;  killed,  37  ; 
character,  40;  resolution  of  sympa 
thy,  49;  In  Memoriam,  375. 

Smith,  Samuel  J.,  2nd  Lieut,  and  Ad 
jutant,  17;  promoted,  44;  staff  duty, 
102;  honorably  mentioned,  105;  let 
ter  of .  139;  resigns.  145. 

Smith,  T.  J.,  Lance-Corp.,  104;  pro 
moted.  105,  156,  215;  re-enlists.  22ti  ; 
promoted,  270,  279,  310;  wounded, 
282 ;  on  detached  service,  361 ;  In 
Memoriam,  379. 

Smith.  W.  E.,  Corp.,  18. 

Smith,  Camp  W.  F..  71. 

Smith.  William  F.,  Assistant  Surgeon, 
230,  239,  278;  surgeon,  334. 

Smith,  William  F.,  Gen.,  77,  115,  116, 
256. 

Snow,  Dr.  E.  M.,  kindness  recognized, 
49. 

Snow,  II.  B.,  Corp.,  19. 

South  Mountain,  battle  of,  109. 

Bouthersrill,  llobert,  Corp.,  19. 

Southwick.   II.    K.,    2nd   Lieut.,    •""*- 


account  of  Salem  Heights,  174  ;  pro- 
in  heavy  artil 
lery,  230. 


moted,  215;   captain 


Spencer,  John,  In  Memoriam,  389. 
Spencer.  R.  A.,  In  Memoriam,  424. 

Sl'OTTSYLVANIA,  242. 

Spottsylvania,  fierce  fighting  at,  243, 
245.  246. 

Sprague,  A.  &  W.,  ofter  to  advance 
funds.  14. 

Sprague.William,  Gov.,  offers  regiment 
and  battery,  13  :  directs  formation  of 
nnother  regiment,  15;  with  2nd  bri 
gade  to  Bull  Run,  28;  horse  killed, 
34;  colors  sent  to,  50;  with  search 
ing  party.  66  ;  policy  of  transferring 
officers,  101 :  passes  over  officers  in 
appointing  major,  141  ;  letter  to,  143; 
appoints  colonel  to  Second,  146 ;  cor 
respondence,  147.  148,  149. 

Spring,  Edson  F.,  Corp.,  217. 

Stacy.  J.  C.,  Corp.,  157. 

Stalker,  A..  Corp.,  158. 

Stanley.  Edward,  1st  Lieut.,  17;  pro 
moted,  59:  in  skirmish,  81.  82;  wound 
ed.  93;  honorably  mentioned,  105; 
passed  over.  141  ;  resigns,  14.">. 

Stanley.  James.  Serg't.  158,  178;  died, 
218;" In  Memoriam,  398. 

Stearns,  c.  W..  Corp..  362. 

Steere,  E.  F.,  Serg't,  311. 

Steere,  W.  H.  P.,  Capt.,  15,   17;  pro. 


j      moted,  43,  101 :    funeral   escort,   68; 
commands  Second.  79 ;  transferred, 
102;  at  Antietam.  110. 
Stetson,  Albert,  In  Memoriam,  397. 
j  Stevens,  Dr.,  of  77th  New  York.  226; 
extracts  from   "Three  Years  in  the 
Sixth  Corps/'  235,  237.  245,  248. 
Stevens,  I.  I.,  Gen.,  97,  98;  killed,  107. 
Stewart.  Charles.  Corp..  271,  278. 
Stone,  A.  II..  In  Memoriam,  414. 
Stone,  R.  J  .  Corp.,  18,  104. 
Stoneman,  Gen..  79;   praises  Second, 

79  ;  movements  of,  82,  115,  238. 
Strange,  H.  A.,  In  Memoriam.  423. 
Sullivan,  T.,  In  Memoriam,  423. 
!  Sullivan,  T.  C.,  Corp.,  19. 
i  Sumner,  E.  V.,  Gen..  89,  110,  122;  at 
Fredericksburg,  125,  128, 134 ;  Wheat- 
on  with,  136. 

Sunday  school  in  Second.  213. 
Swain,  F.  W.,  Corp.,  18;  died,  240;  In. 

Memoriam,  395. 
Swain,  L.,  Rev.  Dr.,  268. 
Sweet.  B.,  Corp.,  46  ;  on  tight-rope,  63; 
promoted.  216.  278.  333.  361 :  wound 
ed,  282  ;  "  pancraticals"  of,  364. 
Sweet.  S.  P.,  Jr.,  In  Memoriam,  409. 
Swift,  H.  N.,  Serg't.  311. 

I  Taft,  Rev.  Dr.,  269. 

Taft,  H.  L.,  Corp.,  46;  promoted,  158;. 
wounded,  178;  died,  218;  In  Memo 
riam.  393. 

Taggart.  James,  Serg't,  17;  captures 
rebel  flag,  29. 

Tanner,  Edwin,  Corp.,  217. 

Tanner,  Job,  Corp  ,  104,  279;  died,  240, 
279;  In  Memoriam.  391. 

Tarbox,  Benjamin.  In  Memoriam,  424. 

Tate,  J.  H.,  Commissary-Serg't,  17 ; 
promoted,  103,  156 ;  resigns,  230. 

Taylor.  James,  Corp.,  61  ;  serg't,  217,. 
In  Memoiiam,  415. 

Taylor.  J.  H.,  In  Memoriam,  395. 

Taylor,  P.  T..  Corp..  19;  disch'd.  60. 

Tennant,  J.  II..  Fife-Major,  19. 

Terry.  II.  D.,  Gen. .division  command 
er,  210.  216. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  BULL  RUN.  27. 

THE  DEATH  GRAPPLE,  335. 

THE  LAST  Two  WEEKS,  252. 

THE  LOST  CAUSE,  347. 

THK  MARYLAND  CAMPAIGN.  106. 

THE  OPENING  BATTLE  OP  1864,  233. 

THE  PENINSULA,  73. 

THE  RE-ORGANIZATION.  277. 

THE  RETURN  HOME,  262. 

THE  SHADOW  op  COMING  EVENTS.  324. 

THE  VETERANS,  277. 

Thomas,  G.  W.,  Jr.,  Corp.,  46,  104, 178, 

Thurber,  D.  W.,  425. 

Thurber,  Stephen,  Capt.,  311, 318;  diary 
of  quoted,  321 ;  field  officer,  322  ;  ac 
count  of  assault,  342  ;  promoted.  361 


632 


GENERAL    IXDEX. 


Thurston.  B.  R.,  adjutant's  clerk,  '217. 

Tibbitts,  H.  C..  425. 

Tinkham.  C.  J.,  Corp  ,  18;  promoted, 
46.  156,  215. 

Tompkins,  C.  H.,Capt.,  14,  27  :  promo 
ted,  57. 

Tompkins.  J.  A.,  2nd  Lieut.,  17;  pro 
moted,  58. 

Tourjee,  Alonzo,  In  Memoriam.  389. 

Tourjee,  Jeremiah,  Corp.,  217,  279;  pro 
moted,  322,  324  ;  wounded,  352  ;  re 
sign*,  361. 

Tourtellot,  L.  C.,  Gen.,  269. 

Tower,  J.  C..  269. 

Tower.  Levi,  Ensign,  eaptain in  Second, 
16 ;  killed,  34 ;  character,  40  ;  reso 
lution  of  sympathy,  49 ;  body  recov 
ered,  67  ;  funeral,  69  ;  In  Memoriam, 
374. 

Towns  recruited  from.  20. 

Toye.  Robert,  Corp.,  159;  killed,  178; 
In  Memoriam,  404. 

Trimmer.  W.  H..  pioneer,  217. 

Tucker,  Charles  W.,  In  Memoriam,  424. 

Tupper,  A.  R.,  Corp.,  158. 

Tupper,  Charles  R. ,  In  Memoriam,  423. 

Turner,  C.  E.,  Serg't.  320. 

Turner.  C.  W..  Capt..  17;  skirmish  com 


pany,  28  ;  guards  camp.  48;  resigns, 
60;  subsequent  appointments,  272. 
Turner,  J.  M..  promoted,  103, 215;  quar 


termaster.  230. 
Turner,  R.  N.,  Corp.,  19. 
Turner,  W.  G.,  Serg't,  18;  promoted, 

44,  60,  156;  wounded,  178. 
Tyler,  J.  H.,  Corp.,  357. 
Tyler,  M.  W.,  Major,  360. 

Underwood,  Nicholas,  Serg't,  17;  pro 
moted,  60;  resigned,  103. 

United  States  Artillery.  5th,  Battery  G, 
Second  supports,  283. 

United  States  Butteries,  at  Bull  Run, 
Griffin's,  32;  Ricketts's,36;  Arnold's, 
37;  Robinson's,  on  tbe  Peninsula,  7!). 

United  States  Cavalry,  6th,  Jidvance- 
guard.  79;  8th.  advance-guard,  79. 

United  States  Heavy  Artillery,  llth 
Colored,  145. 

Upton,  E.,  Col.,  231 :  brilliant  charge  of, 
245;  iii  skirmish,  250. 

Usher,  T.  F.,  Serg't,  18;  promoted,  215; 
duties,  222,  224. 

Vallett,  E.  D.,  Corp.,  311;  died,  363;  In 
Memoriam,  420. 

Van  Slyck,  N  ,  Col.,  pall-bearer,  69. 

Vanguison,  V.,  Serg't,  357. 

Vaelett.  N.  A.,  Serg't,  18. 

Vatelacaici.  G.,  In  Memoriam,  419. 

Vaughan.  T.  F.,  1st  Lieut.,  17,  57. 

Viall.  II.  T..Corp  ,104;  promoted, 216; 
in  Veteran?.  278. 

Viall.  Nelson,  1st  Lieut.,  captain  in  Sec 
ond,  16;  promoted,  43,  101,  140;  ap- 


Elication  of,  143;  resigns  and  organ- 
ses  colored  regiment.  144,  145. 
Vickery,  W.  W..  Corp.,  216. 
Visser,  Paul,  Corp. ,46;  promoted,  216; 

killed,  210;  In  Memoriam,  248. 
Vose.  C.  F.,  In  Memoriam,  414. 

Wade,  James  A.,  appointment  of,  271; 
In  Memoriam.  384. 

Walcott.  W.  II.,  Serg't,  18;  in  U.  S. 
army,  20. 

Waldron,  C.  A.,  Serg't,  18,  103,  156, 214; 
wounded,  240. 

Ward,  J.  A.,  Serg't,  18,  104. 

Warner,  A.  M..  Corp..  18. 

W'arren,  WT.  F.,  In  Memoriam,  401. 

Warrenton  Junction.  Sixth  Corpsat,207. 

Warwick  Court  House,  Second  at,  73; 
hospital,  75. 

Washington's  birthday,  Second  cele 
brates,  63,  226. 

Washington,  city  of,  threatened,  285: 
Sixth  Corps  defends,  286,  287;  grand 
review  at,  359. 

Waterhouse,  J.  R.,  Serg't,  18;  promo 
ted,  60.  156,  214;  ambulance  corps, 
157;  reply  of,  269. 

Waterman.  Charles,  Corp.,  362. 

Waterman.  J..  Corp.,  158,  279;  color- 
guard,  217;  promoted,  362. 

Waterman.  J.  H.,  Corp.,  3.33. 

Wathey,  William,  Serg't,  303. 

Watson,  S.  W.,  Corp.,  217,  279;  promo 
ted,  310.  3««. 

Weaver.  J.  F.,  Serg't,  18. 

Webb,  W.  C.,  Corp.,  46;  promoted,  158; 
killed,  251 ;  In  Memoriam,  395. 

Weeden,  A.  C.,  58. 

Weeden,  George  W.,  1st  Lieut.,  17; 
promoted.  43;  resigned,  56. 

Weeden,  W.  B..  2nd  Lieut.,  17;  horse 
killed,  34;  promoted,  58. 

Wells.  John,  Corp.,  18,  46. 

West,  B.  G..  1st  Lieut.,  joins  Veteran 
Second,  311;  promoted,  361. 

West,  M.  M.,  Corp.,  57;  promoted,  157. 

West,  Stephen,  Jr.,  Serg't,  18;  promo 
ted,  46,  103,  214;  transferred,  270. 

Wheaton.  Frank,  Capt..  lieutenant-col 
onel,  24;  colonel,  43;  appointment 
fortunate,  44;  thanked,  49;  rank  of, 
54  ;  order  of.  57  ;  letter  of,  03 ;  leaves 
camp.  70:  commands  two  regiments, 
79;  conduct  praised,  80;  congratu 
latory  order  of,  96;  honorable  men 
tion  of.  105  ;  commands  brigade,  113; 
at  Fredericksburg.  127;  brig.-gen., 
130.  137;  letter  to  Sprague,  148;  at 
Gettysburg.  1 92.  231 ,  235 ":  commands 
division,  301 ;  movements  of,  317,328, 
332,  346,  350,  360. 

Wheaton,  Col.,  Mrs.,  entertains  at 
camp,  63. 

\Vh-aton.  F.  L..  Surgeon,  15. 16:  at, Bull 
Run,  34;  returns  with  disabled,  45; 


GENERAL    IXDKX. 


633 


in  charge  of  hospital,  75,  99,  100  ;  re 
signs,  100. 

Wheaton,W.L.,  Assistant  Steward,  17; 
promoted,  102. 

Whelan,  Peter,  Corp.,  104,  159,  278. 

Whipple,  Ethan,  Jr.,  In  Memoriam,  398. 

Whipple,  L.  A.,  Corp.,  18;  promoted, 
46,  104. 

White,  A.  W.,  Corp.,  303. 

White,  F.  A.,  Serg't,  311. 

Whitford,  E.  J.,  279. 

Whitman,  T.  A.,  Hon.,  committee,  227. 

Whirside,  Lieut.,  272. 

Wi.'ht,  Samuel,  Corp.,  47,  105,  178; 
died,  218;  In  Memoriam,  410. 

Wilcox,  Caleb,  In  Memoriam,  397. 

Wilcox,  G.  H.,  Serg't,  18. 

Wilcox,  George  W.,  mortally  wounded, 
70  :  In  Memoriam,  414. 

Wilcox,  I.  H.,  Corp.,  18,  217. 

Wilcox,  J.  E.,  Corp.,  19. 

Wilderness,  battle  of  the,  234, 236,  238. 

Williams,  Henry,  2nd  Lieut.,  17,  38; 
resigns,  44. 

Williams,  J.  R.,  Corp.,  157,  279.  322. 

Williams,  N.  B.,  Capt., pall-bearer,  69. 

Williamsburg,  battle  of,  77 ;  Second  at, 
77.  78. 

Williamsport,  85,  202. 

Wilson,  Asa,  Serg't,  17,  46. 

Wilson,  J.  A.,  In  Memoriam,  410. 

Wilson,  L.  B.,  Corp.,  104;  In  Memo 
riam,  387. 

Winchester,  84,  302,  305. 


Winsor,  P.  S.,  In  Memoriam,  414. 

WINTER  QUARTERS  AT  BRANDY  STA 
TION,  219. 

Wisconsin  5th,  166,  294,  360. 

WITHIN  SIGHT  OF  RICHMOND,  87. 

Wood,  A.  W.,  Corp.,  303. 

Wood,  G.  R.,  Corp.,  18,  46,  158,  217; 
wounded,  240. 

Wood,  J.  M..  Serg't,  47,  278,  287,  310. 

Woodbury,  A.,  Rev.,  69,  n..  ->27. 

Woodmancy,  T.  T.,  Corp.,  104,  158. 

Woonsocket,  citizens  of  send  guidons, 
62 ;  receive  I,  2<>9. 

Wormwood,  S.,  Corp.,  19,  61.  240. 

Wright.  H.  G.,  Gen.,  231;  succeeds 
Sedgwick,  244 :  movements  of,  287, 
299/340,  350,  359,  363. 

Wright,  John.  Capt.,  17,  45.  54;  promo 
ted  to  Fifth,  55;  resigns.  5»i. 

Wright,  J.  B.,  Corp.,  216,  279,  322. 

Yeaw,  Robert.  Corp.,  18,  217. 

Yorktown,  64,  75;  Fourth  Corps  at,  99. 

Yost.  Edward,  Serg't,  18. 

Young,  H.  H.,  2nd  Lieut.,  17;  promo 
ted.  44,  59;  at  Frederickftburg,  127; 
passed  over,  141;  inspector-general, 
157:  honorably  mentioned,  173;  bri 
gade  inspector,  215,  278;  daring  ex 
ploit  of,  308;  promoted  and  with 
Sheridan,  309;  his  services.  336,  348;. 
promoted.  360 ;  In  Memoriam,  378. 

Young's  Farm,  Second  at,  76. 


THE  END. 


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